Being Right About God
Wisdom From Above
May 16, 2021
Rev. Gabe Sylvia
The sermon calls believers to read Scripture, resist deception, and rely on the corporate means of grace so they will recognize that trials do not show God's disfavor but rather his steady, generous work in those who are in Christ.
Summary
Studying James is especially timely because trials can lead us to misunderstand God; to think rightly we must read Scripture, resist deception, and refuse false teaching while leaning on the corporate means of grace provided in the church. The sermon emphasizes our identity as God's image-bearers and, for believers, as those who are 'in Christ,' which shapes a new way of life. James teaches that God is unchanging—'without variation or shadow of turning'—and that the Father’s continual generosity and life-giving work are evident even in suffering. Rather than indicating divine disfavour, trials often show the Father at work, producing spiritual fruit (the believer as firstfruits) and bringing him joy.
Key Points
- The study of James is timely and helps us address how trials can deceive us about God.
- Trials are dangerous because they can lead to wrong assumptions about God's character.
- To think rightly about God we must read Scripture, resist deception, and refuse false teaching.
- Believers are image-bearers and, in Christ, have a transformed identity and way of life.
- The corporate means of grace (the gathered church) is a primary way God equips us to resist sin and deception.
- James insists God is steady and unchanging—'no variation or shadow of turning'—and continuously generous.
- Trials prove the Father is at work, not that he is against us; Christians are like firstfruits bringing God joy.
- John’s themes of light and God’s will complement James: suffering does not equal divine rejection but participation in God’s redemptive work.
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