Faith that Works Patience James 1:3

As James wrote to “the twelve tribes scattered abroad”, he greeted them and told them to “count it all joy” when they encountered “divers temptations”. In chapter one and verse three of his letter, James told them the benefit of their “faith” being “tried” where we read:

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience.

The verse begins, “Knowing this”, James began with the word, “Knowing” which means “to learn to know, come to know, get a knowledge of, perceive, understand and feel” “this” which means “because of, concerning, and how”. James desired for his readers to “perceive and understand” what he is about to declare.

The verse continues, “that the trying” or “proving and testing by trial” “of your faith” which refers to “his readers' conviction of the truth and belief that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things and the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Jesus Christ” “works patience” which means “performs, accomplishes, fashions and works steadfastness, constancy and endurance”. The result of their “faith” being tried would “accomplish” “steadfast endurance” in their lives.

When we think through these words of James, we see his attempt to show the benefit of “trials”. They produce “patience” in all who “count them joy”. Patience is a concept that can be understood and yet so difficult to fulfill. Jesus was “patient”, and He endured more “trials” than any other. If we are to become more like Jesus Christ as we are instructed in the scriptures to do, we must learn that the “trials” of our “faith” are meant to produce the “steadfast endurance” that was exemplified in our Savior and Lord.

Next time James tells his readers, “let patience have her perfect work”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.