Agencies of Testing

For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  – James 1:3

The theme of the Epistle of James has been called “A Living Faith” – a faith that is evidenced by righteous living and godly behavior. Testing of that faith produces growth in character and, hopefully, “cultivates a habit of persistent and unwavering obedience and submission to the will of God” (J. Addison Alexander, clergyman).  

Bishop George Horne, Chancellor of the University of Oxford in the late 1700s, listed various “agencies” that tend to have the effect of strengthening your patience quotient and which give cause for steadfastness of your faith if you accept them with joy and trust that the Lord will work all things for good (James 1:2; Romans 8:29). These include 1) “disappointments in life” which could give way to hopelessness; 2) “delays of life” which may cause you to manipulate an ending you think best when you should really wait for God’s timing; 3) “afflictions of life that involve severe pain;” 4) “daily contact with persons whose temper and disposition are specially trying to you”; and, 5) “the little incidents of life” – those small things that take some effort to improve, but are sometimes addressed in an impatient manner. 

When James wrote his epistle, the Jews who believed in Jesus were under persecution because of their faith. Their troubles were special to their religion. Today, testing may come in any of the ways that Bishop Horne listed. Pray for those in positions of power in government to make and uphold laws that protect the practice of Christianity. Then stand firm in your faith. Attend to James words of encouragement in verse 4, “Let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”