PERSEVERANCE WORKS EXPERIENCE Our text states that "patience" produces "experience." What does the word "experience" mean? This term is translated from a word meaning, "acceptable, approved, or tried." Thayer adds, "approvedness, tried character . . . proof, a specimen of tried worth." Character Some versions use the word "character" instead of "experience." "And perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope" (NASB). "perseverance, character; and character, hope" (NIV). "and endurance produces character, and character produces hope" (NRSV). Character is indispensable to spiritual life!
Devotion 7 of 15
Recounting a few instances where this word is used will clarify its meaning for us. The CAPITALIZED words are translations of word being considered .
"For to this end also I wrote that I might put you to the TEST whether you are obedient in all things" (2 Cor 2:9, NASB). "Since you are seeking for PROOF of the Christ who speaks in me, and who is not weak toward you, but mighty in you" (2 Cor 13:3, NASB). "But you know of his PROVEN worth that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father" (Phil 2:22, NASB). "That in a great ORDEAL of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality" (2 Cor 8:2, NASB). "Because of the PROOF given by this ministry they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all" (2 Cor 9:13, NASB). "For there must also be factions among you, in order that those who are APPROVED may have become evident among you" (1 Cor 11:19, NASB).
The word "experience," therefore, means more than something that has occurred in the life of a believer. This is a process that involves Divine objective: i.e., God is accomplishing something in us. This is the way true character is established. It is not enough to simply make a profession of faith. God is not looking for someone to SAY they are aligned with His purpose. He is looking for individuals with whom He can involve Himself--people through whom His will may be accomplished. This is the point of 2 Chronicles 16:9. "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His."
God always finds such individuals. When an entire world was saturated with sin, the eyes of the Lord found Noah (Gen 6:8). Although the land of Uz was not noted for godly men, God found Job there (Job 1:1). Moses was found in the desert (Ex 3:1-4), and David in the sheepcote (2 Sam 7:8). Amos was found among the herdmen of Tekoa (Amos 1:1), and Elisha plowing with twelve yoke of oxen (1 Kgs 19:19). You must believe, dear child of God, that the eyes of the Lord will find you also. People of faith are never overlooked by heaven--NEVER!
"Experience" is the establishment of trustworthiness through the process of testing. When life becomes difficult, extended effort is required to keep the faith and run the race. When we do persevere, we do not simply survive from being fatigued. Our character is developed and our faith is matured. Tribulation stress, and endurance prove the genuineness of faith!
This is a vital aspect of the faith-life. We live in a time when moral strength and tried character are exceedingly rare. The contemporary church has placed its emphasis upon recruitment, not spiritual growth. The bulk of religious instruction is elementary in content and surface in nature. Such teaching cannot produce spiritual tenacity. This is the reason for the dominance of counseling in religion, as well as the flood of "how to" books. Professing believers fail the most elemental tests because the doctrine they have received cannot make them strong!
Sophists, or surface thinkers, make attempts to explain the erratic conduct of religious people. However, there is no satisfactory explanation. It is always wrong to be inconsistent. The reason for this is quite simple. It is the one that is "double minded" that is "unstable in all of his ways" (James 1:8). That is NEVER acceptable, NEVER right, NEVER tolerable! A lack of stability is always serious!
PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ I ask for Your strength that I may endure all of Your tests, coming forth as pure gold.