2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1: 2-4

Our loving God orchestrates every moment we face in our lives in order for us to build our salvation which we received from Jesus’ redemption through His sacrifice on the cross. The trials we face build our endurance which is the strength of our commitment to this redemption we have received. 

There are four reasons behind why God sends us these trials at moments throughout our lives which build our endurance. First, they enable us to see our level of faith and others to see in us an example of a life of faith. Why others? We must be examples to them of what is good and bad, righteousness and sin. Second, these tests show us where we are weak, wrong, at fault, or lacking in order for us to repent and correct our shortcomings. Third, we must gain a better understanding of the path we must take to face and overcome these trials through direct experience. Finally, these trials that God sends us help to recognize our good points, and use them in our actions to be righteous and bring God joy. 

It is easy when our lead voice is the world to forget what is valuable and fall prey to the ridicule of others when we choose to obey God’s direction. God helps us recognize our value, that we are blessed, and that we must hold tightly to our faith and not lose it. It can easily be taken by the enemy when our worldly fears and disconnection with God cause us to betray our faith. Only when you know the value of what you have will it not be easily taken from you. 

A life of faith means being consistent and unwavering as we hold on tightly to the redemption we received when Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Our redemption consists of three parts. Forgiveness of all our sins, justification to enable us to live righteously, and reconciliation which reconnects us with God. 

Forgiveness 

We must not give up the forgiveness which has been graced to us. How? Simply, do not sin! Our daily lives test our ability to resist sin. Sin is when we are disconnected with God and do not follow his guidance. God knows us. God will send us situations which test against our specific weaknesses so we can build the endurance to overcome them. If someone has a weakness of stealing, then they will be tested on their commitment to not stealing. When we resist the temptation, we build up endurance to that weakness. 

Justification

Jesus’ redemption justified us to enable us to live righteously. Tests come to us to try and steal our righteousness from us. At these times, we must hold on to our righteousness no matter what we may suffer. Physical pain, financial ruin, embarrassment, and other calamities may tempt us to compromise our integrity through our fear. Though we may lose our fortune or endanger the security of our family, we must choose not to compromise on God’s commandments. It is when we recognize these trials are trying to take our righteousness that we are better equipped to resist. Passing the test is endurance which is just like pure gold that has been refined by fire.

Reconciliation

Jesus gave up his life so we can be reconciled with God and be one with Him. Our reconciliation is our connection with God. These trials come to try and break that connection. We maintain our connection by doing what is right in the face of adversity. Our present is filled with tests to make us one with God. If we recognize them and are prepared, we overcome them. We are tested by this fire and, when we pass through it, are left with pure gold. What is this gold? It is our faith. When the fire has burned away all impurities, what is left? Our perfect and complete self built through our endurance. 

Ultimately, we must never forget that God gives us these trials because he loves us and wants to make us perfect and whole in our faith which has been built through our endurance. If we fail, we are given that test over and over again until we pass it. God continues because he loves us. When we pass the test, all that remains is our endurance to hold onto our forgiveness, justification, and reconciliation. 

Click for Korean sermon https://soundcloud.com/yhpaik/1988-4-25-mixdown