James gives us a number of tests determine if our faith is real. If we have real faith, James provides us with a grid by which to evaluate ourselves in various areas of everyday life. A true and growing faith will give us the ability to rejoice in trials as we look forward to the crown of life. Godly wisdom will also enable us to see through worldly social distinctions.

Christians should have a totally transformed attitude toward trials. Rather than despairing, Christians can know deep joy in even the most severe trials. We need to plead for God's wisdom that enables us to look at life in a way that is radically opposed to our normal way of thinking and feeling. A wisdom that cuts so totally across the grain must be the fruit of a stable faith rooted in the Word of God.

This story, which began in tragedy, ends with Ruth, a Gentile woman, living under the wings of her redeemer and bearing a child who would continue the family line that eventually led to Jesus Christ. Naomi, a Jew, was also plucked from her loss, grief and bitterness and richly blessed by the same redeemer. As the closing genealogy makes clear, much more was happening than the story of two women. This story points us to King David and beyond David to Jesus Christ, in this great romance of redemption.

Ruth, following Naomi's instructions, approaches Boaz at night and asks him to spread his wings over her (by marrying her), since he is a redeemer. Boaz gladly pledges to redeemer her and marry her, if the issue of a closer redeemer can be resolved. Ruth places herself under Boaz

Through God's providential intervention, He begins to meet Ruth and Naomi in their hopelessness and need and to provide for them abundantly, in ways that are beyond their reckoning. God works on their behalf through a Boaz, a kinsman for Naomi's late husband. Boaz sees true faith in Ruth, expressed as taking refuge under the LORD's wings, whereas others see only a foreigner. God has extended His grace and love to a Gentile, a foreigner, giving hope to all who will come humbly in faith.

Two Moabite women were faced with the same
choice. Orpah chose to return to Moab and her pagan gods. Ruth chose to follow Naomi to the Promised Land, clearly embracing the God of the Bible, willing to suffer the loss of worldly gains for the sake of the LORD. Ruth's choice would not only affect her and Naomi but would be one more step toward the coming of Jesus Christ to be the Savior of the world.

Just as the Apostolic church fulfilled Christ's Great Commission through Spirit-empowered Gospel preaching, so we also must have this as our singular focus.

The Church's mission is the same as God's original redemptive purpose seen in creation: to bring in the victorious reign of the risen Christ over his sinless new creation shared with his blood-washed bride.

The Bible reveals many beneficial effects that can flow from trials, especially those sufferings that result from our identification with Jesus Christ. When Christians bear suffering in a godly manner, they can experience and accelerated growth in grace. When Christians face trials in a Biblical way, it will give them an increased credibility for ministring to fellow sufferers and witnessing to watching unbelievers.

God has promised His children through faith in Jesus Christ that He will equip them with the strength they need to face persecution and hardship. Generations of faithful Christians attest to God's gift of strength in adversity. Christians must use God's appointed means to build their trust in Christ before trials come.