Lesson 7, May 16

 

The finished course  that is the Fruit, the production is seen next.

"that you may be perfect and complete"

 

 

The purpose for testing of one's faith;    2 things are indicated here:

#1  -  The necessity of patient endurance finishing its course.

#2  -  The importance of hanging in there during the many varied tests of life and in the midst of them producing divine good.

 

 

 

"in order that you may be complete (finish your course) and whole" (sp. well balanced)

 

The wholeness of the believer is the state or condition where your in the position that God can pour the greatest blessing,  it’s the place of the capacity for the greatest service for God and it’s the place where you can have the greatest impact on those around you. 

 

lacking in nothing

God works in us as believers through the CHP's,  the tests of life to build character, to mold us into the person he wants us to be, we must remember that God cannot work in us without our consent.

 

 

 

** EXHORTATION **

If then we have available all the necessary provisions for this maturation process, to be whole and complete so that we are lacking nothing,  then the logical conclusion is that we should be able to endure the trials, the CHP's that we are facing because God has fully equipped us to persevere while under pressure by means of faith, the doctrine believed that is applied.

 

Summary   1:4

1. Patient endurance itself is not the goal, end objective, but a part of the process of reaching the goal, the objective in life that God desires for us. 1 Tim 2:4 maturation!

 

2. The believer who handles the tests of life is producing divine good,  an eternal weight of glory 2 Cor 4:17, and therefore brings great glory to God.

 

 

3. As we orient to many different types of tests and chp's we become well balanced believers with the capacity to live life and have an impact for Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

- James wants us to face these tests, patiently enduring them and to realize the great benefits that they will bring us: spiritual advance, maturation, completeness/wholeness;

a spiritually well-balanced believer

 

 

Romans 5:3-4 Importance of patience in going from salvation to glory

 

Rom 5:3  And not only this,  -> refers back to what he had just covered in vs:1-2;                

What Paul gives us in this context are 5 links in a chain that takes us from ph-1 to ph-3

 

#1 - Faith:  Saving faith; Phase-1;

#2 - Peace:  Reconciliation;  the barrier between God and man is removed

#3 - Access:  Right to enter the Holy of Holies,  Because of imputed  +R and resultant  Union with Christ.

#4 - Grace:  in Phase 2;  Grace in which we stand in time;  provision for C/A Saints;

vs:3-4  Paul amplifies this forming a 2nd chain detailing the process of going from salvation PH-1  to glory Phase-3.

#5 - Hope:  Expectant confidence that we can have in time related to our inheritance in eternity.

 

but we also exult in our tribulations,

 

 

 

- These CHP'S have benefit - profit  for the believer now and in eternity when rightly oriented to.

 

 

 

knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;

 

 

 

 

5:4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

 

 

 

The production of patient endurance - 2 things

#1 proven character  - dokimh, - from the word group which correctly emphasizes that the test faced was passed; and the individual is found  approved; or stands approved

 

 

 

#2  hope;   evlpi,j  > confident expectation; 

 

 

 5:5 adds and hope  (same elpis just referred to)  does not disappoint;

 

This is true because this hope is based on the essence and character of God and His faithful provision - Grace - not on who and what we are.  

 

 

Summary of  Romans  5:3-4

1.  Must learn very quickly as believers that between salvation and glory there are going to be tribulations!!

 

- REM: your in the midst of a spiritual conflict (INNER the battle for rulership of the soul, the influence of your thinking and EXTERNAL pressure from many sources; which will increase as we the fast approach the end of the C/A.  

 

2.  The sin nature tends to rejoice in overt blessing but NOT in suffering and tests. 

 

3.  Only those believers who are plus DVPT, having BD forming their frame of reference and use it are able to exalt in their CHP'S - tribulations; to have and know the reality of a mental attitude of joy in the middle of the test.

 

4.  When we face that test (O/A) head on and apply truth we will develop patient endurance and build proven character.  

 

5.  Patient endurance here indicates having a relaxed mental attitude under pressure and having confidence respecting your niche, the place where God has put you.

 

6.  When you adjust to where God wants you to be, utilizing the discernment gained from the Word, and you hang in there, regardless of the CHP'S and the human viewpoint advice that says quit, move on, you develop this Christian character, proven character.

 

7. This proven character manifests itself by the absence of complaining, nagging, hitting the panic button, and the absence of a frantic search for happiness. 

 

8.  Our entire history from salvation to maturation is a daily challenge to field the common human problems that will come, the results of which being tallied by God  and is parlayed into your hope, your eternal reward.

 

9.  This hope is only realized when your faith, the truth in you, your resident BD is tested and the result - this hope will never disappoint, or put you to shame now or at the JSC.