Your faith is the target that all the arrows are shot at the furnace is kindled for the trial of your faith. Without further preface we will come at once to the text and observe that in speaking about affliction, for that is the subject of the text, the apostle notes, first, the essential point which is assailed by temptation, namely, your faith. They may be well content to sow in tears since they are sure to reap in joy. We are able in sober earnest to speak with the afflicted, and bid them be patient under the chastening hand of God yea, to count it all joy when they fall into divers trials because those trials will work out for them such signal, such lasting good. Blessed be God, it is our work, not to upbraid, but to cheer all the brotherhood: we walk in a light which glorifies everything upon which Let grace reign in all hearts, and this earth will become a temple filled with perpetual song and even the trials of life will become causes of the highest joy, so beautifully described by James as "all joy," as if every possible delight were crowded into it. The message of the gospel is one of joy and gladness, and were it universally understood and received this world would be no longer a wilderness, but it would rejoice and blossom as the rose. Our dream is not of devils descending a dreary staircase to hell, but of angels ascending and descending upon a ladder, the top of which leads to the shining throne of God. Grace breeds no sorrow, except the healthy sorrow which comes with saving repentance and leads to the joy of pardon: it comes not to make men miserable, but to wipe all tears from their eyes. Our holy faith is to elevate and to encourage. Remembering the trials of his brethren, James tries to cheer them, and therefore he says, "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers trials." It is a part of our high calling to rise ourselves into confidence and it is also our duty to see that none of our brethren despond, much less despair. Let us remember those that are in bonds, as bound with them, and those that suffer affliction as being ourselves in the body. As we would desire to receive sympathy and help in our hour of need, let us render it freely to those who are now enduring trial. "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." If we are not tempted ourselves at this moment, others are: let us remember them in our prayers for in due time our turn will come, and we shall be put into the crucible. Whatever brotherhood may be a sham, let the brotherhood of believers be the most real thing beneath the stars.īeginning with this word "brethren," James shows a true brotherly sympathy with believers in their trials, and this is a main part of Christian fellowship. Wherefore, let brotherly love continue let us love one another with a pure heart fervently, and manifest that love, not in word only, but in deed and in truth. Well may we be called brethren, for we are redeemed by one blood we are partakers of the same life we feed upon the same heavenly food we are united to the same living head we seek the same ends we love the same Father: we are heirs of the same promises and we shall dwell for ever together in the same heaven. Every one that is born of the Spirit of God is brother to every other that is born of the same Spirit. It reminds us of the ties of nature, and binds us with the bonds of grace. Christianity has a great uniting power: it both discovers and creates relationships among the sons of men. James calls the converted among the twelve tribes his brethren. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."- Jam 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Delivered on Lord's Day Morning, February 4th, 1883, byĪt the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |