To Be Least

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)

Here James begins his letter to the Jews with the explanation of why we as Christians should be glad when we face trials. Carefully he states that these trials or "testing of your faith" develop preseverence.

Perserverence:
1. Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness.

So in the case of Christianity trials develops persistence, standfast in our belief that Jesus is our Savior. That he has payed for our sins. This perseverence will make us "mature and complete" as Christians. God's Word has many examples of people that rejoiced when they were "tested for their faith." One excellent example of this is in the book of Acts.

41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. (Acts 5:41)

They were not complaining, no they were rejoicing. They had been thrown into jail, yet they had joy. Christians all over the world are persecuted for there faith in Jesus Christ. I know that here in America about the only way that Christians are persecuted is usually verbally. Of course I am sure that people have been beaten for their faith, although I don't have any statistics in front of me. Anyhow, it is obvious that "trials of many kinds" are needed for developing mature Christians. Christians that will standfast in times of persecution.

Will you show joy when you face trials for your faith?