It gave me hope that I could endure the mile run and finish because I didn’t give up. This endurance produced character in me to not give up and this endurance that my character had developed through the sufferings gave me hope. I must admit that I have my weak moments and feel that I cannot go on so it is very difficult to imagine how we are supposed to “rejoice in our sufferings.” We can rejoice in them if we know that we are secure in the Lord ( John 10:28-29) and with the knowledge that our “suffering produces endurance.” When I was on the track team in high school, there was suffering during training when I got what the trainer called “shin splints.” These are actually tiny, hairline fractures in the bones and they were very painful but the continual running eventually built up the bones and I could endure the suffering because it produced a longer, stronger endurance in me. ![]() Those who stand “the test…will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” Suffering Produces Perseverance Romans 5:3-4 “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” We not only will have to endure “trials of various kinds” but we must “count it all joy.” The one who perseveres knows that “the testing of faith produces steadfastness.” When this “steadfastness its full effect…you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” None of us are perfect so when we examine the Greek word for “perfect” which is “teleios” we see that it means that our faith is “brought to its end” or “finished” which is what the word complete means in Greek “holokleros” or “complete in all parts” or “whole.” Just as metal is tested by fire and becomes stronger, so too is our faith tested and made stronger. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast (or perseveres) under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” ![]() ![]() And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Steadfastness Produces Perseverance James 1:2-4, 12 “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |