If I asked you to mention the one thing that brings pure joy in your life, what would you answer? Playing with the dog? Having the grand kids over? Winning the lottery? A walk on the beach? It wouldn't surprise me if each of you came up with a different answer. Of course there are no right or wrong answers here. There is however a surprising biblical answer.
Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance (James 1:2-3). Calling the testing of our faith pure joy is kind of weird, I mean... I would never come up with that. But the Bible says that's the way we should look at the trials in our life. Well, let me put it this way, the trials are not necessarily pure joy, but the testing of our faith is, because it develops perseverance.
Why is it so important to have perseverance? Listen to what the next verse says, Perseverance must finish it work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Now we're talking! I love this verse because it tells me that the development of perseverance in my life must finish its work; in other words, there is an end to every test of faith, thank God! And then there is the answer to my 'why do we need perseverance' question; so that:
- you may be mature
- and complete,
- not lacking anything
When looking at that kind of end result, the testing of our faith should be pure joy indeed!
The maturity mentioned here is the Greek word teleios, which stands for: a right relationship with God that bears fruit in a sincere endeavor to love Him with all one's heart in undivided devotion, obedience and blamelessness.
The completeness mentioned here is further explained in James 2:22, faith and actions working together makes our faith complete!
Not lacking anything is a Biblical promise for believers, Psalm 34:9 says Fear the Lord, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing!
The testing of our faith (sometimes through trial and error) is nothing more than the development of perseverance which will make us mature, complete, lacking nothing! Is that pure joy, or what?
This reminds me of what I heard a Bible teacher once say, "In consistency lies the power." I agree, we need to persevere to move ahead in the way God intended. Thanks so much for sharing this, Marja! :)
ReplyDeleteI like that one Karen, in consistency lies the power... Thanks!
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Powerful and inspirational post as always :)
ReplyDeleteI love it when you show us the mirror in the face because sometimes we ALL do need such reality checks. I don’t say I am all that much of a blogger or writer, but I do manage to get my way around and have my small blogging community that rocks. http://indresult.com
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