James addresses himself to half a dozen basic issues of the Christian life. He discusses the Christian and his battles (1:2-16), the Christian and his Bible (1:17-27), the Christian and his brethren (2:1-13), the Christian and his beliefs (2:14-26), the Christian and his behavior (3:1-4:12), the Christian and his boasting (4:13-5:6), and the Christian and his burdens (5:7-20). He begins with the testings and temptations that assail the godly. As to our temptations, they are for a purpose (1:2-11) and for our profit (1:12).

James could see three reasons why God allowed His people to be tested: for our enlargement (1:2-4), for our enlightenment (1:5-8), and for our ennoblement (1:9-11).

They are for our enlargement.

They are intended, for instance, to move us: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations" (1:2). Testings jolt us out of the comfortable ruts into which we tend to settle. They provoke a reaction. The way we respond to testings tells us a great deal about our spiritual condition.

The word translated "temptations" refers primarily here to trials. The word pictures an assayer who puts gold in the fire to test its purity. James has in mind the external trials that overtake us on our journey home. He sees "divers" or "manifold" trials. The word for "manifold" denotes "many-colored" or variegated trials — trials of all sorts. The classic Old Testament example of a saint being tested by all kinds of adversities is Job. In a series of inexplicable disasters, he lost his wealth and his health, his family, the sympathy and fellowship of his wife, and the goodwill of his friends. Job came out of his trials a wiser and better man.

James does not urge his readers to react positively if they fall into trials but when they fall into trials. Trials are not electives in God's school; they are required courses. Sooner or later, testings will come. They are not intended to give God an opportunity to see how we are doing but to let us see how far we have come — or failed to come.

Moreover, testings are designed to mellow us: "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience" (1:3). That is why James tells us to "count it all joy" when these testings come. They are not mindless, senseless woes unleashed upon us by a cold and impersonal fate. They are permitted by a wise and loving heavenly Father, who is too caring to be unkind and too wise to make any mistakes. Satan was not allowed to touch job at any time or in any way apart from God's express permission. Moreover, each time he obtained permission to attack God's beloved servant, God drew the line in the sand beyond which Satan could not go.

One great objective that God has in mind in allowing us to face the trials of life is to teach us patience. The word for "trying" can be translated "proof." The idea behind the word is that of something being put in the crucible. It also carries the thought of a yoke of oxen being put to the test (Luke 14:19).