The Greek noun chara includes a range of ideas from a calm assurance to being exceedingly joyful.[1] James, the Lord’s half brother, wrote “Consider it all joy [chara], my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials” (Jas. 1:2). The Greek noun peirasmos is defined as a “trial” and includes tests of “fidelity, integrity, virtue, and constancy.”[2] Every believer will experience some moments and periods of significant testing. Many of the tests that we experience or endure are not fun, and we should not classify them as “exceedingly joyful.” However, as to many of our tests, we must endure them with a “calm assurance,” knowing that God has not lost control of His creation. James, himself, had to endure periods of persecution, which ultimately included his stoning to death by the Jewish authorities. Our Lord’s suffering was so intense that “His sweat became like drops of blood, falling upon the ground” (Luke 22:44). In a similar way, to some degree, we are all required to endure some very challenging tests, which include various tragedies, periods of sickness, the loss of loved ones, and even our own death. There are a number of verses that speak of Christians having joy even during times of suffering (2 Cor. 7:4; 2 Cor. 8:2; 1 Thess. 1:6; Heb. 10:34; Heb. 12:2; Jas. 1:2).
James wrote that the testing of our faith produces hypomone, which means “endurance” or “steadfastnesses”[3] (Jas. 1:3). To reach spiritual maturity, every Christian must learn perseverance. We must never quit on our steady and sometimes bumpy march to spiritual maturity. We must endure many tests of our character. James said, “And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect [mature, teleios][4] and complete [whole, holokleros],[5] lacking in nothing” (Jas. 1:4). As long as we live in these bodies of weakness, we will never be sinless, but we can be mature, more balanced, and more joyful people.
James also explained that we should ask God for wisdom (Jas. 1:5). The Greek word sophia is defined as “wisdom.”[6] Every Christian is required to learn good judgment and gain skill in the management of the affairs and challenges of human existence. Every Christian must learn to walk by the Spirit, wherein the Word is a light to his or her feet, trusting in Christ Jesus, while having no confidence in his or her fleshly capacity. James assured us that our prayers for wisdom will be answered (Jas. 1:5). However, we must ask in faith, not doubting (Jas. 1:6). If we doubt; we will be like the tossing and turning of an unstable sea (Jas 1:6). If we doubt, we should have no confidence that God will answer our prayers for wisdom (Jas. 1:7).
If we persevere under the trials of life, we are promised special blessings (Jas. 1:12). The potential blessings include the Crown of Life, which “the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (Jas. 1:12). If we love God, we will become more and more obedient to His Spirit and Word. By doing so, we will become more balanced and happier humans. It is God’s will that we learn to have a calm assurance even during the greatest trials and tribulations of life because of our trust in God.
[1] “G5479 – chara – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 8 Aug, 2022. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5479/nasb20/mgnt/0-1/>.
[2] “G3986 – peirasmos – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 8 Aug, 2022. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3986/nasb20/mgnt/0-1/>.
[3] “G5281 – hypomonē – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 8 Aug, 2022. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5281/nasb20/mgnt/0-1/>.
[4] “G5046 – teleios – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 8 Aug, 2022. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g5046/nasb20/mgnt/0-1/>.
[5] “G3648 – holoklēros – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 8 Aug, 2022. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g3648/nasb20/mgnt/0-1/>.
[6] “G4678 – sophia – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (nasb20).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 8 Aug, 2022. <https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g4678/nasb20/mgnt/0-1/>.
