It is often the case in the Scriptures that a few sentences are packed with unsuspected treasures of divine wisdom. For within the pages of the Scriptures wisdom is considered discriminating, directive, and free of distortion. Accordingly, within the Scriptures spirituality is not a nebulous abstraction, but a practical curative for a vibrant life of faith.
The Apostle James has provided for the careful reader a critical aspect of a powerful spiritual life. In verse two of this chapter James wrote:
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; knowing that the trying of your faith works patience."For years I bristled over these words and their sobering content. I actively resisted their obvious meaning, and wanted to follow the path of least resistance while still following, albeit, superficially the life of faith. However, the power of these words eventually broke down my resolve for a menacingly superficial spiritual life by speaking silently, and yet consistently, to my conscience.
In the original language, James states that one is to "...count it joy when one is surrounded by solicitations of testing," and for a long time this was extremely difficult to comprehend. Then I remembered the word of the Iesous when he promised never to leave nor forsake.
It was the release of cognitive control over my life that bestirred anxiety and the chronic thought of abandonment in the midst of testing that haunted me. I had reached what Kierkegaard called "The Halt" and I knew it. The Halt is a 'faith' void of radical commitment and self-sacrifice. It is a 'faith' "full of sound and fury signifying nothing." Alas with the surrender comes the relief that one has become solidly committed to the directive will of God.
It is within the surrender that one discovers the ways of God. Outside of the surrender obsessive speculations of what might eventuate is its own hell. One finds that within the surrender the love and mercy of God cultivate trust and a willingly to obey Him deeper. It is within His will where God operates on the cancer of fear and doubt. Only within the will of God is there safety in this life.
The patience that James speaks of does not crush, but it does create pressure that doggedly pursues disagreeable spiritual compromise within the heart. Otherwise, how can one grow spiritually if there is no spiritual incentive?
Patience, or more properly 'hupomone', is the foundation upon which godly character is built. How we need godly character in this misguided world. Patience must have its completed work within the soul, and when this fantastic work within the soul is completed the emerging individual is something to behold.
In one of his books, Buckminster Fuller, spoke of the ancient shipyards of Venice where shipbuilding was both art and science. He spoke about how the ships were outfitted with sails, ropes, and other items that would be replaced as the ship made its way around the world.
The ships would take on the best quality sails, rope and other items, and upon their return to Venice the ships were, gallant, beautiful beyond memory and recognition. The work of patience is to create glorious character within the soul. We, too, become those who are beyond memory of the past. Because God removes our fears, self-defeating doubts that created "The Halt." "The Halt" bears no protection for us. Because it is, alas, a lie, or a convenient fiction.
God releases us from our fictions through the Iesous. Fictions are real in that they keep us imprisoned from real life. We remain fictional people to the extent that we refuse the counsel of God. God wants us to come to the Iesous who is his answer for our deepest spiritual need. Will you come to Him today in confession of your need for rescue from the power of sin? Tell God of your deepest need and He will answer you.
Blessings to you.
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