How do we become approved and for what purpose? How is endurance and faith tied to the approve process?
James 1:1-12… James, a slave of God and of [the] Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes that are scattered about: Greetings! Consider it all joy, my brothers, when YOU meet with various trials, knowing as YOU do that this tested quality of YOUR faith (#G4102) works out endurance (#G5281). But let endurance have its work complete, that YOU may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything. So, if any one of YOU is lacking in wisdom, let him keep on asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching; and it will be given him. But let him keep on asking in faith, not doubting at all, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven by the wind and blown about. In fact, let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from Jehovah; he is an indecisive man, unsteady in all his ways. But let the lowly brother exult over his exaltation, and the rich one over his humiliation, because like a flower of the vegetation he will pass away. For the sun rises with its burning heat and withers the vegetation, and its flower drops off and the beauty of its outward appearance perishes. So, too, the rich man will fade away in his ways of life. Happy is the man that keeps on enduring trial, because on becoming approved he will receive the crown of life, which Jehovah promised to those who continue loving him.
Faith works out endurance says James. So, what is faith?
Strong’s #G4102 defines this Greek word as pistis, it can be rendered as faith, belief, confidence, or trust. Is that not really one of the primary things that God asked from us? Is it not for us to trust him and have our confidence in him and for us to exercise faith in him?
Proverbs 3:5…Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding.
Jeremiah 17:7… Blessed is the able-bodied man who puts his trust in Lord, and whose confidence God has become.
Romans 10:9… For if you publicly declare that word in your own mouth, that Jesus is Lord, and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him up from the dead, you will be saved.
Now what is the meaning of endurance?
Strong’s #G5281 is the Greek word hupomone and it means endurance, to remain behind, steadfastness, or patiently waiting for.
So, the question begs to be asked…. What are we waiting for patiently?
Go back up and look at James 1:5 where he says that we should ask for wisdom, but why should we ask for it?
This kind of wisdom helps us endure, that we can become approved and then receive “the crown of life” that will be given to those who have not lost their love for our Heavenly Father, God, and lord Jesus.
James 1:12… that we on “become approved” should receive the crown of life because of the love that we had for our Lord in and during the testing of our faith.
So, what will help us in our Faith, Love, and Endurance?
James 1:21… Hence put away all filthiness and that superfluous thing, badness, and accept with mildness the implanting of the word which is able to save YOUR souls.
That kind of help comes from the implanted word of God.
If we are found angry, agitated, and disrupted in our very spirit, we will not be found in a mildness and the word cannot be implanted into our heart.
So, what is this “Word”? is it the Bible? Or is it something else?
Again, let us go to Strong’s Concordance #G3056 and the Greek word is Logos! You will need to study up about the Logos, but I will say and pray this for you all.
I hope that the peace of God may come over you, that the Implanting of God’s word maybe put into your heart and that you may become complete and sound in all respects, not lacking anything until the showing up of our Lord and Savior has been fully made manifest. That for us who have endured we may receive the crown of life.
2 Timothy 4:7-8… I have fought the fine fight, I have run the course to the finish, I have observed the faith. From this time on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me as a reward in that day, yet not only to me, but also to all those who have loved his manifestation.
Writingwithlogos.com – Last Updated 12/25/22