"Do not be misled, my beloved brethren." James 1:16James' warning works perfectly for all he has said to this point... from, "considering our trials as joy", to "sin brings death"... as well as for what we are about to look at. "Looking at what can be misleading", can be misleading itself... if you're not very careful. Focus on and STAY in the TRUTH (God's Word), if you don't want to be misled... Amen? Let's continue the thought here... "Do not be misled...
17. "Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse]."
The urging here, like in verse 13, is for Christians to beware of attributing to God any evil motives in His activities... for God is the essence of goodness and all He does is good. Love is in, behind, and all around everything He does. The reason He allows the evil that is produced here, both from man and "the enemy" to continue longer is not often clear to us...
However, suffering can provide an opportunity for God to display his glory--to make evident his mercy, faithfulness, power and love in the midst of painful circumstances (Jn. 9:1-3). Suffering can also allow us to give proof of the genuineness of our faith, and even serve to purify our faith (1 Pet. 1:7). As in the case of Job, our faithfulness in trial shows that we serve Him not merely for the benefits He offers, but for the love of God Himself (Job 1:9-11). Severe trial also provides an opportunity for believers to demonstrate their love for one another as members of the body of Christ who "bear one another's burdens" (1 Cor 12:26; Gal. 6:2). As we are comforted by God in affliction, so we are better able to comfort others (2 Cor. 1:4). Paul recognized that his "thorn in the flesh" served to keep him from boasting, and promoted true humility and dependence on God (2 Cor. 12:7). The psalmist recognized that his affliction had increased his determination to follow God's will (Ps. 119:71). Even Jesus "learned obedience from the things He suffered" (Heb. 5:8).
Let's pick up with James verse 1:18 next time.
I love you.
"Do not be misled, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse]." James 1:16-17
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