March
3, 2004
Reading: James 1:1-8
“My brethren, count it all joy when you
fall into various trials” (2)
Some passages of scripture need little effort to understand them. Their message is clear, logical, and makes sense that they be adopted as part of the Christian walk with God. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” John 14:6. This is clear cut, definite and to the point, and leaves no one wondering about hidden or subtle meanings. Then we read words such as our text, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” Now, this doesn’t make sense, not only to the unsaved, but to many who have been saved for many years. It is illogical to the human mind and general experience.
The natural thing to do when trials hit us between our spiritual eyes is to withdraw and pull the down the blind that has “Poor me” written on it. Some of us are very good at wallowing in our own mire and adverse circumstances. The first thing we do is to find someone on whom we can throw the blame; it can’t be my fault. Usually that is quite easy, after all, am I not one of those “pure in heart” that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 5:8?
We also have a very competent built in self-defense mechanism. It doesn’t take much effort to come up with excuses and conclusions that are reasonable and acceptable to us. Then we have that wonderful ability to feel sorry for ourselves and shut ourselves in a closet (physically and emotionally) to avoid contact with those whom we have named on our “At Fault” list.
Then, when reading my bible in my special closet, I read “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” Talk about illogical! This goes against human nature. Hmmm, isn’t my human nature sinful and at enmity with God? Maybe that’s the problem, I’m reacting and thinking with the wrong nature. Oh no, now the Holy Spirit reminds me of that verse in Romans, “And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God” Rom 6:13-14. But I don’t like making decisions. I do quite well on the straight and narrow path, following clear directions, as long as there is not a fork in the road. One of the unique aspects of the narrow path is that I can’t stop walking on it. If there is a fork in the road I will eventually arrive at it and have to make a decision. There are signposts there, one says, “The way of the flesh,” and the other, “The way of God.”
From personal experience I can tell you that the “Way of the flesh” includes a psychic reader who says “Come inside and find out who is to blame.” Across the street is a Martial Arts studio advertising an inexpensive, one lesson course in self defense, and, in the back, at a reasonable cost, is a closet I can rent for as many days as I wish.
Thankfully, because I have shamefully traversed the “Way of the flesh” many times, this time I decide on the “Way of God.” Not far down the road I come across a building constructed in the road. To continue down the road I have to enter this building and walk through it. The sign over the door reads, “The School of Jesus Christ. Instructor—The Holy Spirit.” As I enter the door I am guided to a desk and chair where I am handed the school’s curriculum. The first chapter is headed, “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials!”
Continued next week