“…knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience”
produces patience
The word “produces” is a strong term for “do.” The idea is to work out, render to work, to do something with thoroughness. Trials thoroughly produce a faith that results in tenacity. The test of one area of our lives produces power in another area.
There are two Greek words for “patience.” One has to do with patience with people (not our term), and the other has to do with patience with circumstances. “Patience” in this verse comes from two words: under and to stay, to abide, to remain. The idea is to remain under. Our term deals with staying power, the ability to hang in there during difficult circumstances. It is the character of tenacity under difficult situations. This person does not give up and throw in the towel. “Patience” does not carry the idea of passive endurance, but the notion of tenacity.
Principle:
Trials are God’s means for making the faith of the child of God strong with fortitude.
Application:
A patient person hangs in there and does not give up; it is someone who overcomes and accomplishes God’s designs for his life. His faith does not falter or wane. He does not run from his problems but faces them head-on.
The idea of “patience” is perseverance through trouble. If we face trial with trust in God’s plan for us, we will receive a reward for tenacity of character. Each time we face trial with faith, our endurance gets stronger. Trials produce staying power and tenacity.
“I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry” (Psalm 40:1).”
“We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God” (1Thessalonians 1:2-4).
“Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5).
How do you react to trial, negatively or positively? If we react negatively, that demonstrates a lack of faith in God’s sovereign plan for our lives. God uses trials to develop our character. Each time we overcome a trial, we get stronger spiritually.
God puts each one of us in the School of Suffering. Each one that receives this training with faith will develop the strong character of tenacity. He will hang in there through the most difficult situations.
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:6-9).
