Our Changing Light, Part 1

God authenticates and grows our faith through trial and temptation. Such seasons of life reveal the impurities and desires (within our hearts) that is hindering our devotion to the will of God for our lives. James assures us that the testing of faith has a divine purpose: to produce steadfastness in our walk with God. Further, we experience the blessings of God through contentment (complete happiness) with him in the midst of the circumstances we face. Now James takes it a step further by sharing how all this is possible. God is our guiding light through it all. He never changes in his character and disposition towards his children. When unfaithfulness and instability in our faith in God rears its ugly head, it is on our part, not his.

What is James’ exhortation to us concerning this topic? When it comes to the matter of succumbing to temptations (verses 13-15), let us never believe that such evil comes from God. Neither is he responsible for the resultant consequences of us acting upon our sinful desires, thus James exhorts, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers” (v16). In other words, do not accept lies about God, but rather trust what his Word says about him! We should make note of the character of God. He is never the instigator of evil. The Bible is clear, He is Holy. He has nothing in common with evil, for he abhors it. Think about it: Why would God ever tempt us with sin? Why would God send us such an entrapment which ends in sorrow and grief that would drive us away from him? He would not. Rather, he allows adversity to teach us how to seek and rely completely on him. Reliance is the key ingredient for growth in relationships, especially with God (e.g., Mark 4:35-41).

The first step in enduring faith is to know and believe in who God is and his role in our lives (as accords with scripture). Through trial and temptations he is our unchanging light.

Blessings,

Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D. 

www.springoflivingwaters.com