Posts made in April, 2016


“Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great”(Matt. 5:12)   Trials and Tribulation: James 1:2-6  “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,  (peirasmos)  knowing that the testing (dokimion) of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.   But let him ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.“ Note: The words for “trials” and “testing” (vv. 2-3) are both words for suffering yet, both are entirely different in origin and intent.  One form of testing (peirasmos, v. 2) has the intent of failure, while the other form of testing (dokimion, v.3), is a testing to show the value or quality of the thing tested.  In most N.T. occurrences a peirasmos testing, is one of evil origin (Satanic).  Incidentally, the word “temptation” is also the same Greek word peirasmos, as in the words, “trial” and “testing”.  From his book “The Cup and the Glory“, Dr. Greg Harris wrote;  “While God may allow and even use a trial for His own objective, He Himself is not the origin of evil. ”  cf. Jas. 1:13.  Also, we should always pray for God’s wisdom (v. 5) to help us be joyful when experiencing trials. Romans 5:3-5  “And not only this, but we also exult (boast) in our tribulations, (thliphsis) knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;  and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Note: The Holy Spirit was given through Jesus Christ. (Joel 2:28, Acts 2:2, 18, John 14:26, 16:7). Also, the words “perseverance” and “endurance” are synonymous, and literally defined in the original Greek as, patient endurance. Joy (chara): joy; delight Rejoice (chaira): to rejoice; be glad Trials (peirasmos): temptation; a testing; an experiment Testing (dokimion): testing; proof, (a validation of faith -as in James 1:3) Testing (peirasmos): temptation; a testing; an experiment-(as in 1 Pet. 4:12) Tribulation (thliphsis): affliction; distress; trouble Persecution (diogmos): persecution, suffering Exult (kauchaomai): boast; to take pride in-( Boast in tribulations, (as the Apostle Paul did in, 2 Cor. 12:10) Wisdom (sophia): wisdom— Random House Dictionary; “knowledge of what is true or right, coupled with just judgment as to action; discernment”.  Note: sophia is where we get the...

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