Lesson
8, May 23
Promise related to
the testing and suffering is seen in 1 Peter 5:10.
And after you have suffered (UNDSF) a little while, the God of all grace.
who called you for the
purpose of His eternal glory in Christ will HIMSELF,
Have 4 verbs describing
God's promise to the believer who applies doctrine while under external
pressure, as part of the refining process of their faith.
#1. perfect - fully equip > provide all the
DOA'S necessary
#2. confirm - establish firmly > unyielding in dvpt
#3. strengthen - strong in BD, able to stand up
under the external pressures/tests
#4. establish you - totally grounded in dvpt
- having a firm foundation
Summary
1. Peter here is
encouraging us to
patient endurance as we
face the tests / CHP's of life so that the grace of
God would be manifested in our lives.
2. The suffering of
Ph-2, however
great, is only for short time while the glory in Christ is eternal.
3. These 4 verbs
describe the vindication & promotion of the believer who maintains his/her
spiritual momentum under testing and suffering.
4. What is described
here is easily defined by an equation:
B/D (resident in you) + testing (O/A) + application = the 4 verbs
5. Promise GOD makes
is that He will provide for the advancing believer:
(all the
result of doctrine truth applied)
#1. katarti,zw - fully
equipped - prepared for any challenge)
#2. sthri,zw - establish you firmly - unyielding in divine
viewpoint - nothing can shake you
because your buttressed firmly with truth.
#3. sqeno,w -
strong in BD, strength to stand up under pressure.
#4. qemelio,w - firm
solid foundation in DVPT so that we're immovable by the tests > pressures or
any challenge to MPR.
6. This is God's
promise to those who are faithful to use the assets he has provided. The Grace provision for life.
Only through negative volition and rejection of truth will
you miss the provision.
1:5-8 God's Solution to
the Problems of Tests in the life of the Believer
1:5 The Need for Wisdom identified,
But if any of you lacks wisdom
?? Why do we need wisdom when we are
going through trials?
FOR THIS REASON: We need spiritual wisdom so we will not waste
the opportunities God is giving us to refine our faith, to advance, for spiritual
maturation to be a reality.
Wisdom helps us understand how to use these circumstances for our
good, our benefit and for God's glory!
Process = Tested Faith à Patient Endurance à
Maturation - Completeness
à
Spiritually well balanced
à
Proven Character
1:5b The request for wisdom made
Let him ask of God
1:5c The promise of bestowal of wisdom.
The next clause describes an aspect
of God's character and His actions towards believers.
Who gives to all men generously and without reproach
generously
- a`plw/j
- adv. ; speaks of undividedness; simple; uncomplicated; w/o reservation.
and without reproach
ovneidi,zw (pres act ptc) = to unjustifiably rebuke; reprove; reproach;
to insult
- Here we have a
believer who is empowered by the Holy Spirit; therefore is in fellowship and
recognizes a need in their life for spiritual wisdom to be prepared to
adequately deal with the circumstances and situations in life.
And it will be given to Him
- We will discover
the mechanics of acquiring wisdom in 1:19-25 and is related to hearing the Word
putting yourself consistently in that place where you can get God's viewpoint.
1:5 But
if any of you lacks wisdom, (and there are), let that one ask from God who keeps on giving to all generously and
without reproach, and it will be given to him. (dative of
advantage)
Observations on the
Wisdom in view:
Paul in three of his
prayers sheds great light on the wisdom in view here.
These passages
illustrate for us what James is exhorting us related to wisdom.
#1 - EPH 1:17-19
- Direct connection
between having wisdom and knowing the hope the confidence in time to which God
has called us.
#2 -
- knowledge
of His will results in a transformed life - a light shining in a world of
darkness.
#3 - Phil 1:9-11
- Context defines
wisdom more functionally as depth of insight and being able to discern what
things are best.