James 1:2 … Nothing but Joy (02/24/17)
“Whenever you face trials of any kind,
consider them nothing but Joy”
~ James (James 1:2)
One of Jesus’ favorite and most trusted disciples (see Gospel of Thomas 12), James was correct to encourage us in this way — for he knew that deeds are only powerful enough to bear “The Fruit of the Spirit” (see Matthew 21:43); when they are both exceedingly difficult and exceedingly well-intended (see Matthew 5:10-12) …
Indeed, this Truth (of the Power of Selflessness) is in all likelihood what James was referencing in the verses where he claims that “faith without works is dead” (see James 2:14-26). And indeed, mere mental faith (the feeble faith of Paul) is nothing unless empowered by courageously Faith-full actions (James 2:17 et al) – deeds done despite difficulty, despite challenge, despite fear, and despite potential (if not probable) pain or loss for one’s self … And this is the primary reason why we are to consider our trials as “nothing but Joy” – for without Love our lives mean nothing, and without difficulty our deeds of Love are neutered and weak.
Indeed (in-Deed), even Paul agreed in one of his more lucid moments – where he noted that the only faith that counted was “faith working through Love” (see Galatians 5:6). Yes, it is true that Paul didn’t really understand the true depths of unconditional Love, and yet even the most deluded of false prophets will stumble across the most profound of Truths on occasion – which is what Paul indeed did here. For true Love cannot exist in its purest form except in those moments when it is most purely actualized – and it can only be purely actualized when said actualization is difficult – dangerous, even; only in those moments where there is no guarantee of survival or success; only in those moments where enlivening Love is the boldest act of Faith – a Faith in Love itself.
And because Love does always “work” – because it does always bring Peace in direct proportion to the difficulty of its effectuation, and because walkers of The Way are indeed only concerned with the Peace of others, such daring Doers of Love do indeed feel that same raw Bliss whenever confronted with a trial or tribulation; knowing as they do that such difficulty automatically makes each & every one of those concurrent acts of Caring a true Peace-bringer to others – and thus inadvertently a true Joy-bringer to themselves.
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