As a believer in Christ Jesus, God wants me to live by faith [Romans 1:17]. I get faith by learning and obeying the Word of God [Romans 10:17]. With that in mind, the theme of the book of James is faith and works. I am instructed to show you my faith by my works. I will demonstrate my Christian faith to you by my obedience to God’s Word on any given matter with the encouragement that you will do the same. The Lord tells us in James 1 that is the reason He brings temptations [trials and testings of our faith] into our lives. These trials mature our Christian faith because of the opportunities to actually apply the Word. Note James 1:2-8: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
An example in my life where these verses helped me to live by faith happened a number of years ago. I was working in forestry and would often get my 2 wheel drive work truck stuck in the mud. This would make me angry and frustrated. I knew my reaction to these oft occurring events was not pleasing to the Lord so I asked Him for help. Well, I memorized the above verses to help me when this trial would happen again. And it did! I was way back off the paved road on a particular landowner’s property – in the middle of nowhere. After I completed my work, I cranked my truck and – you guessed it – I was stuck. It was like the Lord said “Here is another test, Jack, to help you mature past your anger”. So, I got out, assessed the situation, and instead of instantly getting angry, I quoted the above verses out loud. Then I said something like “Lord, even if it takes me all day to get out, I’m not going to get angry”. So, realizing the test I was in – orchestrated by my Lord to help me live by faith – I got the shovel out of my truck and as I started to dig out, I heard the faint sound of a vehicle. To my complete amazement, it was the landowner in a VW bug! He asked if I was stuck and I sheepishly admitted that I was. I had a chain in my truck and he pulled me to solid ground. The Lord had taught me a good lesson and made me a little more like the Lord Jesus. That is His goal for each of us. What test or tests does the Lord have for you right now? Ask Him for wisdom, memorize and apply the verses of the Bible, and endure the test joyfully for His glory and your good!