James describes the kind of faith that justifies. Like Paul, he combined faith and works. Paul wrote about a faith "which works by love." (Gal. 5:6.) James wrote, "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" (James 2:22.) Nowhere does the Bible teach justification by mere faith, or faith alone. Faith produces something in us just like unbelief does. There are weighty results of both faith and unbelief.

There are many ways in which our faith is tried or tested. We need such to know the reality of faith in us and to stimulate it to grow. We remember the testing of Abraham's faith in offering Isaac. (Heb. 11:17.) He is the only one whose faith is said to be tried among those named in Hebrews 11. Yet, everyone's faith is tested. James wrote,

"Knowing this that the trying of faith works patience. But let patience have her perfect work that you may be perfect and entire wanting nothing." (1:3-4.)

Our faith may be tried by temptations, but in this specific area of trials we should not think that God is the One tempting man. "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God." (1:13.) The trials of our faith come from many sources. Blessed is the man who endures the trials; for he shall receive the crown of life.

Here are seven tests of our faith from James.

In chapter one, verses 19-25, one test of our faith is our attitude toward the Word of God. This is a summary of the things that are said.

a) Be swift to hear; slow to speak.

b) Receive with meekness the engrafted Word.

c) Be ye doers of the Word; not hearers only.

d) The challenge of changing the image seen in the mirror.

If we say we believe in God yet reject His Word, then we fail the very first test. Solomon wrote, "He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination." (Proverbs 28:9.)

More and more, men are ridiculing and rejecting the written Word of God. They think nothing of saying things opposite of what the Bible says. Both doctrinal and moral issues are rejected. Feminists reject the statement that the man is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church. (Eph. 5:23.) Homosexuals say that their behavior is natural; the Bible says it is not natural. (Romans 1:26-27.) Pluralists say that Christianity and Christ are not exclusively the way to God, yet Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and life. No man comes to the Father but by me." (John 14:6.) "Whosoever denies the Son, the same hath not the Father." (1 John 2:23.)

Some churches among us reject the role of elders and refuse to appoint them. This is critical because it reflects a flippant attitude toward the Word of God. Some rejected John's baptism. Those who did were said to reject the counsel of God against themselves. (Luke 7:29-30.) The Bible commands all men everywhere to repent. (Acts 17:30.) If we refuse to do so, we have failed this most important test of faith; that is, our attitude toward the Word of God.

"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons." (2:1.) "If we have respect of persons, ye commit sin and are convinced of the law as transgressors." (2:9.)

There is one place where we all are equal before God. Spiritually, all stand on equal footing. All are sinners; all equally in need of the grace of God. In the world, man often is not equal with others. We have many differences and diversities. But in Christ, we have all things in common.

There is no place for pride or prejudice in the faith. No man can boast under the law of faith. (Romans 3:27.)

In Christ, all physical and material distinctions among men vanish. One test of our faith is whether we understand and practice that oneness. The early church practiced it by having their material possessions in common. Those who needed food and clothing received them freely.

"And all that believed were together and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men, as every man had need." (Acts 2:44-45.) "Having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet." (Acts 4:37.) Gentiles and Jews changed their attitude toward one another. The rich and poor expressed a new found understanding toward one another.

The love of Christ for us should be so great in our faith that it totally overshadows any petty differences that arise among us. Something is wrong in our faith if we show a respect of persons, because God does not. This is a great test of our faith as we live together as the people of God.

"What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?" (2:14.) "Even so faith, if it hath no works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without thy works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (2:17-18.)

Faith is tested by the works of God that we are called upon to do. James mentions needy brethren (2:15-16), orphans and widows (1:27), and the sick (5:14).

Paul adds, "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Cor. 15:58.)

We have been told to go into all the world with the Gospel. (Matt. 28:18-20.) It tests our faith when confronted with such a world-wide challenge. Will we trust God to take care of us, and to give the harvest?

Hebrews 11 gives that famous list of men from various ages who acted upon their faith in God. This faith justified them and pleased God. The emphasis is upon faith and what it did. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Heb. 1:1.) If there is no substance to our faith, we will not do the work of the Lord.

The Lord while on earth went about doing certain things. (Acts 10:38-40.) He left Joseph's carpenter shop and did another kind of work altogether. When believers do that work, they are looked upon as being peculiar. There are many who do not believe that this work is important or essential. We must believe that what we are doing is eternal and absolutely important for the salvation of lost people. Our faith is tested by our attitude toward this work of God.

James 3 says much about the misuse of the tongue. This is a severe test of our faith and spirituality. Only the most mature and those who give diligent effort will be able to control the tongue.

"If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." (3:2.)

The tongue causes divisions and wrangling in the body of Christ. The misuse of the tongue shows our lack of wisdom and maturity. Righteousness prevails only in an atmosphere of peace.

Obviously, it is not the tongue itself that causes the problems and sins. What we say comes from the heart, Jesus said. (Matthew 15:18.) These things defile a man. There is a sinfulness within us. Some call it "original sin"; others refer to it as "our depravity." Paul called it "our carnal nature." He said that sin dwelt within him.

Only the power of the Spirit of God within us can help us to control the evil in us. If sin reigns within, then we show that faith is not active. If we are void of righteousness, then we are not overcoming the world by faith. Faith is tested by observing how we use our tongues.

One poet wrote,

O that my tongue might so possess

The accents of His tenderness

That every word I breathe might bless.

A word of hope for those who fear

For those who mourn, a word of cheer

Love for all men far and near.

O that it might be said of me

Thy speech betrayeth thee

As a friend of Christ of Galilee.

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be the friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4.)

Paul said of Demas, "Demas has forsaken me having loved this present world." (2 Tim. 4:10.) Others believers like Demas will fail this test of faith in time. The world enters their hearts again, and they leave the faith behind. Jesus said that we cannot serve two masters; we will either love one and hate the other; hold to one and despise the other. But we cannot serve God and mammon.

The world is so visible; it appeals to our sight. Faith deals with things not seen. How severely faith is tested in a real world of physical things good to the sight and taste. Many fail the test in time.

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." (1 John 2:15-17.)

Later John wrote, "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness." (1 John 5:19.)

We have learned that the Bible is not condemning the created world, but the sinfulness of this world. It is the darkness of the world produced by a rejection of God that is condemned. Everyone's faith is tested and proven by this "world."

"Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year and buy and sell, and get gain. Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. For that ye ought to say, If the lord will, we shall live, and do this or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings; all such boasting is evil." (James 4:13-16.)

Do we believe and understand that God controls the world in which we live? No, I do not mean that He causes towers to fall on some and not others. I do not mean that He gives wealth to some and not others. Solomon wrote, Time and chance happens to all of us. (Eccl. 9:11.) But do we work acknowledging God as Creator, Ruler, King, and Lord? Do we seek things higher than food, clothing, and shelter? No one said it better than Jesus on the mount. (Matt. 6:24-34.)

We should live by faith in God. There is nothing more out of order than to try to live thinking that God has nothing to do with our lives. He has everything to do with it. He created and sustains. He controls the world.

"Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:14.)

Prayer is one of the best daily tests of our faith. It shows how much or little we rely upon God. Young Christians and the old should pray to God. Everyone's faith is proven by this act. Do you pray? Privately, in your own closet?

The advancements of science of medical care has greatly changed our attitudes toward sickness. Often, in ancient days, doctors did not know the cause of certain sickness. There was little understanding of viruses. Many thought that evil spirits were responsible; therefore, only God could make the person well again. Now we understand much more about the human body and why it gets sick. But this new understanding should not lessen for one moment our dependance upon God. Medical advancements can never remove the need for prayer.

Prayer should not be seen as competition with doctors. We should not think that doctors can be by-passed by prayer. Jesus said, They that are sick need a doctor. Luke was a physician. He uses medical terms in his Gospel account.

Whether sick or well, we should always show our faith in God. This is His world. Life and death are a part of this world. Death is a penalty imposed upon man because of his disobedience. Yet, in His grace God has planned for life beyond. We may live again in a better world.

The prayer of a little boy. I like the story of a little German boy who prayed often. Others knew him to be devout in his prayers to God. Once he prayed that God would not allow him to be late for school. Yet, when he left home, he was already late on account of his wicked parents. Someone over-heard him pray that he would not be late. He followed him to see what would happen. He arrived at school to find that everyone was still standing outside the building. The headmaster had turned the key the wrong way and jammed the lock. A locksmith was called to open the building. He had just finished his work as the young lad arrived. Always pray and trust in God!