Principles from James 1:1-4

Jas:1:1: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 2: My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3: Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4: But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Here in the first four verses of James we find a wonderful truth; God wants us to have Joy even in the middle of great and various troubles. But how can we have this Joy of which he speaks? It is mapped out for us quite simply. The Principle has three aspects which must be applied to our daily life for the principle to function.

1. Faith

2. Patience

3. Joy

We must remember that all the principles of God are circular arguments; that is to say that all elements of a principle must be in operation for you to obtain the full blessing of a principle. Joy in trouble cannot operate without Faith and Patience. Patience cannot operate without Faith and Joy, etc...

My class found it easiest to understand in graphic form.

One part of the principle cannot function without the others. They must be applied in unison.

You might also think of it this way... to enjoy a glass of iced-tea you must have three elements. 1. a glass 2. tea 3. ice; without tea or ice you end up holding an empty glass. God desires much more for your life than to leave you holding an empty glass...

Joy in the midst of trouble (doubt, fear, greif, distress, etc..) is a blessing from God and is beyond the understnding of humans. It is not just happiness, it is a principle that is applied to our daily lives to bring us "Joy unspeakable and full of Glory".

I will try to keep up our studies on this site for those of you who cannot attend Bible Study on Thursday nights at 6pm. If you are able to attend, I promise you an insightful look into the word of God as much as I am enabled by the Spirit of God