It is absolutely essential to grasp this. Our problem is not that we expect too much help from God at work, but that we expect too little (James 1:8). It may seem surprising that we can ask God for wisdom about the tasks of ordinary work-making decisions, assessing opportunities, trusting colleagues or customers, investing resources, and so on-but James tells us to “ask in faith, never doubting” that God will give us the wisdom we need. “If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and it will be given you” (James 1:5).
In speaking about wisdom, James begins to develop the principle that we can trust God to provide for us. Instead feeling the lack of whatever we were afraid of losing, we feel the joy of finding God’s help.ĭepending on God (James 1:5–18) Back to Table of Contents Back to Table of Contents As the crisis passes, we find that our maturity has grown.
#Book of james chapter 1 how to
If we don’t know how to resist these temptations, James invites us to ask for the wisdom we need to do so (James 1:5). James tells us that if we can find a way not to give into the temptation to abandon the faith, to act unethically, or to despair, then we will find God with us the whole time. What should we do if our faith is tested at work? Endure (James 1:3–4). All of these work-related challenges can test our faith. Or we may be so gripped by fear that we doubt God will continue to provide for our needs. Failure at work then seems to mean that God cannot be trusted or does not even exist. Or we may believe that God called us to our work, promised us greatness, or owes us success because we have been faithful to him. For example, getting laid off (made redundant) or dismissed from a job may be so devastating that we question everything we previously relied on, including faith in Christ. Some failures can be so traumatic that they shake our faith.
#Book of james chapter 1 trial
Another kind of trial arises from failure at work. We can be tempted to abandon faith-or faithfulness-by committing theft, fraud, dishonesty, unfair dealings, or taking advantage of others in order to enrich ourselves or advance our careers. Even if others don’t put pressure on us, we may tempt ourselves to abandon our faith if we think that being identified as a Christian is holding back our careers.Īnother kind of trial could be ethical. Depending on our situation, faith in Christ could expose us to anything from minor prejudice to limited job opportunities to dismissal or even bodily harm or death in the workplace. What kinds of challenges do we face at work that might test our faith in-or faithfulness to-Christ? One kind might be religious hostility. “Any kind” of trial can be an impetus for growth-including troubles at work-but James is particularly interested in challenges so intense that they result in “the testing of faith.”
#Book of james chapter 1 full
“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2–4). Specifically, God uses the difficulties and challenges of daily life and work to increase our faith. James begins by emphasizing the deep connection between daily life and spiritual growth. Perseverance, Wisdom, and Spiritual Growth (James 1:1–5) Back to Table of Contents Back to Table of Contents
Learning From the Psalms How to Pray Through Your Work.Beyond Rank and Power: What Philemon Tells Us About Leadership.Evangelism - Sharing the Gospel at Work.10 Key Points About Work in the Bible That Every Christian Should Know.
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