Lesson 5, May 9
1:3-4 Conditions
necessary for this JOY - CONTENTMENT in "ALL THINGS" to exist.
1:3 Knowing that the testing of your faith produces
endurance.
the testing
(diff word from vs:2) - dokimion doki,mion - to be tested and approved;
The idea here is of the testing or
proving of our faith even the genuineness of your faith.
of your faith - h pi,stij u`mw/n
- what is believed BY you!
- This refers to what
you have in your F/O/R - that is ready for application; the faith in you!
The Benefits:
produces endurance
- endurance hupomone - u`pomonh, - patience toward the external
circumstances of life; abiding under
This is a virtue of the Christian
life that grows while under pressure - testing.
When a believer faces trials and
tests he/she has an opportunity to either give up in defeat or to develop
his/her capacity to endure and maintain steadfast commitment to do the will of
God and have a positive impact for Christ.
1:3 Summary:
1. The testing of
one's faith for approval indicates that these tests trials, difficulties, suffering that
are in view are undeserved suffering.
2. Experiencing these
types of tests should not catch the believer off guard - by surprise. 1 Pet 4:12
3. Just as the
goldsmith refines the impurities from gold with fire, God uses the tests, the circumstances
of life (CHP's)
as the fire that refines us as believers and our faith.
4. True faith, that
is, content in agreement with the Word, like pure gold endures no matter how
hot the fire.
5. Testing of one's faith works
for the benefit of the believer not against us.
6. It is in the
struggle against difficulty, opposition that spiritual stamina is developed.
7. Patient endurance
like the joy in context is directly related to the ministry of G/H-S.
8. God uses the tests
/ trials of life as a vehicle for us to develop spiritually which only occurs
as we orient to and apply our faith, known doctrine in the situations of life.
9. Patience is a key
to other blessings à in context leads to maturation.
10. Faith plus patience /
perseverance leads to our inheritance, eternal blessing/rewards. Heb 6:11-12
11. Paul tells us
that these tests are but momentary light affliction - easy to bear when
compared to the glory, eternal weight of glory that's ours for eternity, HOPE (elpis). 2 Cor 4:17
12. In
13. As believers
respond to doctrine throughout history often in the midst of great trouble and
difficulty and realize the grace benefits that God has provided, (blessing -
security - provision) even in that situation; God is demonstrating to Satan during
this time, the appeals process of the angelic conflict,
that He is fair and just in dealing with His creatures and therefore is
justified in judging Satan. (Mt 25:41)
(Rabbit Trail)
Testing is necessary
for growth in the Christian life (Prin. must be learned)
1 Peter 1:6-7
"In this you greatly rejoice"
-
Takes us back to vs: 5
- You have confidence
in time regardless of the circumstances because you are protected by the
Omnipotence of God from the time you believed in Christ, until the day of
deliverance, the rapture.
Therefore it's a
confidence that we as believers can have in time that is not dependant on or
extinguished by the external circumstances of life.
- It's also related
to understanding that in Christ we have an inheritance one which is:
- incorruptible >>
nothing can destroy
- undefiled >> no moral stain/impurity
either to gain or to keep it
- unfading >> not affected by time - will
not loose its luster
- even though now At this
time, the time Peter is writing to people who are under great pressure,
undeserved suffering, and he is exhorting them to remember their position in
Christ and to keep using the DOA's from doctrine
known for the rewards are very great.
In this
you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary,
- for a little while (a short time), if need be (causal particle eiv +
dei/
pres ptc = indicates an obligation, something that is
necessary - not something that is optional.
- since it is necessary
- "you have been distressed by various
trials"