JAM 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

>>People in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries called "Alchimists," were the first to experiment with what is today called chemistry.

>>Webster's Christian History Education Series does not give an explanation for the words Chemist or Chemistry--it says "See Chimist, and See chimistry."

>>Webster says "Alchimy" was a sixteenth and seventeenth century attempt to convert various metals into Gold--find a universal remedy for all diseases and a solvent capable of dissolving everybody.

>>The motive of this study and research was to be able to prolong life for any indefinite length of time--transfer lead and other cheep metals into Gold.

>>Chemistry is a science whereby substances are produced from or converted into other substances.

>>Natural substances however tortured in the furnace, or blended with other substances could not accomplish the miracles they sought to wrest from nature.

>>The chemistry of the gospel has worked these miracles, and works them every passing day.

>>The secret to this gospel chemistry is revealed in EXO 15:25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them,

>>The Chief Chemist also teaches in the next verse what some of the substances are which He uses to guard us from the disease which is most dreadful to God's family, i.e., the leprosy of sin.

EXO 15:26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

>>David, the man after God's own heart shows that the healing of his diseases and the forgiveness of his sin are synonymous in PSA 103:1-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

What is that precious substance in the chemistry of the Gospel which works these healing miracles which natural man could not accomplish?

1JO 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

>>This is the blessed chemistry which is the universal medicine which can cure the leprosy of sin for the whole world.

1JO 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

>>This blessed chemistry of the gospel cures soul disease which is infinitely more deadly and destructive than any malady of the body.

>>Our Blessed Physician, the Chief Chemist not only reveals and brings the infallible medicine to light, but applies it and gives it to those who thirst after righteousness.

JOH 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Christ's blood is that precious substance which changes our heavy, leaden afflictions into golden consolations--earthly miseries into heavenly mercies, legal curses into gospel blessings and vile sinners into saints.

Thus the delusive dreams of the alchimists have become solid realities, exceeding what they toiled in vain for as far as eternity exceeds time and as far as heaven surpasses earth.

>>Our text reveals some of those precious substances which the Chief Chemist uses to transform His dear family's sorest trials into "All joy," that they "...may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

>>If we could by placing a lump of lead in the furnace change it into a lump of gold, would that be a greater miracle than turning our light afflictions into an eternal weight of glory?

>>Now let's look at our text to analyze those precious substances which our Chief Chemist uses to perform these miracles.

FIRST, those "diverse temptations" into which God's people "fall."

SECONDLY, the chemical reaction that results form these painful falls, i.e., "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."

THIRDLY, the ingredient of apostolic counsel, "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

FOURTHLY, the converting affect of grace enabling the saint to "count it all joy" when he falls into divers temptations.

>>To properly understand the meaning of the Spirit in our text we must know the full meaning of the words "temptations" and "divers" as they are used in our text.

>>The meaning of the original word for "temptations" includes trials as well, and the meaning of the original word for "divers" not only means various kinds of trials, but also many in number.

>>Our text could be read to say, "Count it all joy when you fall into many various kinds of trials and temptations."

>>Thus we can see our text includes all trials, and all temptations, however various, and however numerous. Satan would tell you that your trial is of such a nature that our text could not include such a trial or temptation!

>>We must also consider the meaning of the Spirit in the term, "when ye fall into." The idea is that of a sudden fall into an unexpected danger.

>>Our Saviour used the same word in the parable of the man who went down from Jerusalem to Jericho who "fell among thieves," LUK 10:30.

>>The same word is used in ACT 27:41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground.

>>The voyage of the Christian's life through the strait and narrow way unto eternal life is compared to a voyage over the sea.

PSA 107:23-24 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.

>>The voyage itself is rough and rugged, the sea is boisterous because of the storms, but the perils are the rocks and the quicksands which make the journey so difficult and dangerous, i.e., the trials and temptations which are spread in the way.

>>These trials are "divers," or many. They spring from so many different sources--some are tried with poverty--some with sickness or other difficulties in the family--some by the treachery of their closest friends, but all precisely adapted to the person and timed by infinite wisdom.

>>David had a Saul, Doeg and Ahithophel and a greater than David had a Judas who kissed only to betray. These lessons are to teach us what Jeremiah said in

JER 17:5 Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

>>When Job discovered the corruptions of his heart which were before unsuspected and unknown, he saw God's purpose in the furnace.

JOB 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

SECONDLY, let's consider the chemical reaction that results form these painful falls, i.e., "Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."

>>The blessed effect of, or the source of joy from falling into these divers trials and temptations is two-fold--one is that it tries faith which comes forth as gold, and it works patience.

>>All true God given faith will be tried to prove its genuineness. See how Abraham's faith was tried! His faith was so esteemed, and of so Spiritual and gracious a character that the apostle Paul called him "the father of all them that believe," in ROM 4:11.

>>For twenty five years Abraham's faith was tried. Year after year, month after month, day after day the Lord was trying Abraham's faith. Sarah became so impatient in her desire to have a child--she urged Abraham to take Hagar--then she became jealous and opposed her till she had to flee away.

>>Think how as years went by Abraham's faith was tried, but we read in ROM 4:18-20 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

>>The genuineness of your faith is proven by its endurance. The patience of Job teaches more about his endurance than his submission under his trial.

JAM 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

>>The word patience in our text and in JAM 5:11 cited above, comes from the Greek word "hupomone [hoop-om-on-ay]" which means "cheerful or hopeful endurance--to have fortitude to bear trials--to persevere--abide, endure."

>>These trials are to brake the rebellion of our hearts and prepare us to endure in our Spiritual battles against sin and the wiles of the devil in submission to God's will.

2TI 2:3-4 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

THIRDLY, let's consider the ingredient of apostolic counsel, "But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

>>So what is that "perfect work" which we must "let" patience do? It is two-fold.

First, it is the endurance with which we endure all trials, bear all crosses, carry all loads, overcome all temptations and the power of sin.

Secondly, the "perfect work" of patience is learning true submission to our heavenly Father and His blessed will.

>>Until our will is dissolved in the will of God, patience has not done its perfect work. It may be going on, but it is not consummated.

>>Rebellion is the dross which God removes with the furnace. Patience has not done its perfect work until all the dross of rebellion is removed.

>>This perfect work of patience is to bring us into conformity with the suffering image of Christ.

1PE 2:20-21 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

FOURTHLY, let's consider how the converting affect of grace enables the saint to "count it all joy" when he falls into divers temptations.

>>Oh, what joy there is when patience has done its perfect work.

HEB 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

>>Contention and confusion are the curse of the broken law.

GEN 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

>>The woman is the type of the church. Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty from that cursed confusion.

ISA 26:2-4 Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in.

3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

>>When the Prodigal Son came to himself his rebellion was broken, and he saw the beauty of that peace which reined in his father's house.

>>There is no true "joy" without being at peace with the will of God.

2CO 5:20-21 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

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