"My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into diverse (many different) temptations (trials). 3. Knowing that the trying of your faith works patience. 4. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
The word “patience” in verses 3 and 4 caught my attention and my imagination. It is the KJV translation of the Greek word “hupomonay.” I want to share the various meanings of “hupomonay” that I discovered. Verse three can be translated: “the trying of your faith works perseverance.” It takes a lot of patience to persevere in hard times. James wrote this in a time when it was dangerous to be a Christian. Our faith in Jesus Christ urges us to “keep on keeping on” in spite of the problems that we will inevitably face. We have the New Testament because men persevered and lived to write about it. James was one of those who persevered. Paul was one who persevered. Paul’s friend Barnabas persevered. For example, does your faith lead you to persevere, even when you are criticized? Do you persevere when the work that you do in seems to be unappreciated? We need more “peseverers” (I think that I invented a word, but you know what I mean.) Pray that you will persevere in your work for the Lord….”in spite of…..” Another word that comes to mind pertaining to perseverance is “endurance.” This means to keep on keeping in spite of the burden that you might be carrying. It occurred to me that we would not have a New Testament if some Christians had not endured the hard times that they faced. Paul comes to mind here. After his conversion Paul had to endure many trials. He listed some of the trials in 2 Corinthians 11:21ff. Turn to this text and see what Paul endured in his service for Christ. I think of what missionaries on foreign (for lack of a better word) fields face today. Many of our missionaries are serving in dangerous places, and they could list things like Paul listed in 2 Corinthians 11. Our Christian brothers and sisters in Middle Eastern countries serve as good examples for us in both perseverance and endurance. Give some serious thought to your own endurance. Do you persevere and endure when there seems to be no reward or appreciation of your service? We sorely need “endurers” today. Have you thought about your own patience, perseverance and endurance? Do that now, and ask for the Lord’s strength. Bro. Joe
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AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
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September 2021
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