Subscribe Daily Bible Study Mailing List Receive Daily Bible Studies directly into your email inbox.
You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
James 1:3
3 Knowing [ginosko] this, that [hoti] the trying [dokimion] of
your [humon] faith [pistis] worketh [katergazomai]
patience [hupomone]. KJV-Interlinear
3 knowing that the testing of
your faith produces endurance. NASB
'Knowing' means that you have full cognizance of, you
are familiar with, you have complete discernment of the facts of a matter.For example, you know your a, b, c's.You are fully aware of the alphabet of your
language.
You can read, write, speak and are able to communicate
easily because you 'know' your language.You have full command of it.At
least enough of a command such that you can function in life.
This does not mean that you can write music, or
poetry, or raging love stories.But you
can certainly read them or hear them, and comprehend and understand them.
Thus, it is with Bible doctrine.You know it because you have (or should have)
studied it, learned it, used it repetitively day in and day out during your
life, and that gives you knowledge of doctrine.
But this passage refers to a specific knowledge of
doctrine. The testing of the very core of your faith.Is your faith made of metal or mush?Will your faith stand up to the pressures of
the blast furnaces of testing, or will it burn away into nothing more than
smoke?
The 'testing' is a reference to the many circumstances
of life which we all will face sooner or later in life.And these circumstances, you will hope, will
be of the nature where you did not cause them, or at the very least, you find
yourself in a helpless situation.That
is when the power of God can become obvious and effective in your life.
And I say 'you hope,' because when you find yourself
in a helpless situation, then your eyes have the opportunity of being opened up
to, and receptive of, God in your life.
And 'endurance' is a reference to patience,
confidence, stamina, survival, the ability to stick with life without falling
apart.
Now again, some tests can be all too obvious like
being held captive by terrorists. But then how many of us will find ourselves
in that situation?Not many.That does not mean that God does not have a
test for each of our lives.Just living
day to day and paying bills can be a test.Not to mention the difficulties that accompany bankruptcy, accidents,
floods, tornados, unemployment, being dumped by a lover, babies crying, and so
forth.
I probably will not mention your life's troubles, but
if you are a living and breathing person, then there is a difficulty, or
difficulties, which God has designed specifically for you.
And again, you do not meet trouble in life with crying
and blame, and a sitting around and do nothing attitude.
God gave us all responsibilities and obligations.These are a part of the Christian life.But where your abilities and resources end,
Gods are just getting started.Knowing
this builds up confidence within your soul.
Now is the time to post a prayer.
End Of Lesson
Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
If you enjoy these Bible Studies, please consider making a Donation
Subscribe Daily Bible Study Mailing List Receive Daily Bible Studies directly into your inbox.