For example, getting laid off (made redundant) or dismissed from a job may be so devastating that we question everything we previously relied on, including faith in Christ. Some failures can be so traumatic that they shake our faith.
Another kind of trial arises from failure at work. We can be tempted to abandon faith-or faithfulness-by committing theft, fraud, dishonesty, unfair dealings, or taking advantage of others in order to enrich ourselves or advance our careers. Even if others don’t put pressure on us, we may tempt ourselves to abandon our faith if we think that being identified as a Christian is holding back our careers.Īnother kind of trial could be ethical. Depending on our situation, faith in Christ could expose us to anything from minor prejudice to limited job opportunities to dismissal or even bodily harm or death in the workplace. What kinds of challenges do we face at work that might test our faith in-or faithfulness to-Christ? One kind might be religious hostility. “Any kind” of trial can be an impetus for growth-including troubles at work-but James is particularly interested in challenges so intense that they result in “the testing of faith.” “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2–4). Specifically, God uses the difficulties and challenges of daily life and work to increase our faith. James begins by emphasizing the deep connection between daily life and spiritual growth. Perseverance, Wisdom, and Spiritual Growth (James 1:1–5) Back to Table of Contents Back to Table of Contents
#BOOK OF JAMES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS HOW TO#