Faith That Works
Read James 1:2-4 One of the first things we come across in James chapter one are the discrepancies in modern translations like the NIV that have taken the original Greek word peirasmos (which means temptations) and changed it to the word "trials". When taken out of context with the rest of the chapter we begin to discover that when James told us to "count it all joy" he was not talking about rejoicing in our sufferings, but in our temptation to sin. While we can grow in our relationship with God, through suffering, we were never meant to put on a false face of joy when doing so. But, when we can stare temptation down and fight against it, that is real joy! God is actively shaping you into someone who will be perfect and complete. Sure, the shaping process is painful, but in the end, it will result in your perfection. Did you ever wonder why you are still tempted to sin, even though you've been a Christian for a while? It's meant to perfect you in Christ.