Nipate
Forum => Controversial => Topic started by: GeeMail on October 09, 2014, 12:34:50 PM
-
http://www.absg.adventist.org/2014/4Q/TE/PDFs/ETQ414_02.pdf
The Perfecting of Our Faith
Read for This Week’s Study:
James 1:2, 3; 1 Pet. 1:6, 7; Phil.
3:12–15; James 1:19–21; Luke 17:5, 6; Luke 12:16–21.
Memory Text:
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2, NIV).
A dentist explained why his crowns are always flawless. “Unlike some dentists,” he said, “I never have a problem with the crowns that come back from the lab. If I send them perfect work, they send me perfect crowns.” This dentist doesn’t worry about the end result. He focuses on his role in the initial stage of the process.
Likewise, as Christians, we need not get all worked up over whether or not our characters will be good enough in the end. That is God’s work. Our role is to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12) by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, “the author and perfecter of our faith.”
Such faith in Christ enables Him to work in us “both to will and to do
of his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13) and to finish the good work He has
begun (Phil. 1:6).
Without faith, it is possible to feel defeated, even before we begin, because we focus on ourselves rather than on Him.
As Jesus says, “‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him
whom He sent’” (John 6:29, NKJV).
James, as we will see, helps us to understand this important spiritual truth.
-
http://www.absg.adventist.org/2014/4Q/TE/PDFs/ETQ414_02.pdf
Faith Lasts
Read
James 1:2, 3; 1 Peter 1:6, 7; 4:12, 13. What is the common attitude
of both James and Peter in regard to trials? How are we supposed to
relate to this incredible biblical injunction?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
No one likes suffering; we almost always avoid it if we can. The
Greek word used in verse 3 for the testing of our faith is dokimion. It refers to the process of proving the genuineness of something. Peter likens this testing or trying of our faith to the way fire purifies gold; although such testing may not be pleasant, God expects a successful outcome. Trials should not discourage us; for, if we remain faithful, we will “come forth as gold” (Job 23:10; compare Prov. 17:3).
Thus, we are to rejoice when trials come, especially over our faith,
for Jesus says, “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward
in heaven” (Matt. 5:12).
Also, trials deepen our appreciation for what Christ endured for us. As 1 Peter 4:13 points out, they enable us to share in Christ’s sufferings.
In short, we need to look through and beyond each trial and visualize the result God intends. That is where faith comes in. We need to believe in a loving Father, rely on His wisdom, and act on the basis of His Word. We can safely entrust our future to Him (see Rom. 8:28).
In fact, only through faith, through knowing for ourselves God’s love,
and living by faith in light of that love could we ever possibly rejoice
in our trials.
In James 1:3, the ultimate goal of the testing of our faith is “patience”
(NKJV). The Greek word (hypomone) can also be translated “endurance”
(NASB) or “perseverance” (NIV). Hypomone refers to that which
outlasts everything else because it rests confidently in the assurance of
God’s final deliverance (as in Luke 21:19).
It’s one thing to stay faithful to God during trials; that is, to not
lose your faith but to cling to the Lord, even in the worst times.
But we are told to “rejoice” in our trials. Isn’t that asking too
much? After all, at times it can be hard enough just to stay faithful in trials but to rejoice in them? Yet, that’s what we are told.
How, then, can we learn to rejoice, when rejoicing is the last thing
we feel like doing?
-
Amen, daily bread. Thank you for the good word. :)
Suffering is a big issue for many people, I know for sure it is a reason some people are atheists. They just cant understand how a loving God can permit it.
There are Christians who have lost their faith because they met a cross they felt was too heavy for them to carry and thought it meant either that God wasn't real or that they themselves were not worthy. It really is very difficult. But another thing, it is even more difficult to face suffering alone without the assurance of a loving God. Lots of depressions and suicides are made of such.
Yes, it's hard to understand when we are in the thick of things, much less to rejoice! :) This is a work of grace. It is beyond human ability to rejoice in suffering. But with God all things are possible. And this world is not everything. That's the bottom line for any Christian believer. Hope. :)
-
Amen, Kairetu. If people could only be patient enough to endure suffering they would reap the harvest of true perfection just as God plans. I have gone through suffering and while it was happening I thought God had abandoned me. He brought me out of the miry clay and looking back I ask why I doubted. I'm not perfect, but the work He began in me is wonderful indeed.
I'm praying for you, my dear sister Kairetu, that God be merciful to you, that when you go through suffering you will remember it has come from the Father's hand to perfect your faith.
-
Amen, Kairetu. If people could only be patient enough to endure suffering they would reap the harvest of true perfection just as God plans. I have gone through suffering and while it was happening I thought God had abandoned me. He brought me out of te miry clay and looking back I ask why I doubted. I'm not perfect, but the work He began in me is wonderful indeed.
I'm praying for you, my dear sister Kairetu, that God be merciful to you, that when you go through suffering you will remember it has come from the Father's hand to perfect your faith.
Thank you, daily bread. For your prayers and for the encouraging testimony. :) Highly appreciated.
-
http://www.absg.adventist.org/2014/4Q/TE/PDFs/ETQ414_02.pdf
The Flip Side of Faith
Read
James 1:6–8. What is he saying to us here?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
The word for “doubt” refers to one being inwardly divided; this
helps us to understand its connection to double-mindedness. We see
a clear example of this at Kadesh-Barnea. Israel faced a choice there:
move forward in faith or rebel against the Lord. Amazingly, they chose
rebellion and wanted to return to the bondage of Egypt. When God
intervened and announced through Moses that they would die in the
wilderness, suddenly the people “believed”! They said, “ ‘We will go
up to the place which the Lord has promised, for we have sinned’ ”
(Num. 14:40, NKJV).
“Now they seemed sincerely to repent of their sinful conduct; but
they sorrowed because of the result of their evil course rather than from
a sense of their ingratitude and disobedience. When they found that
the Lord did not relent in His decree, their self-will again arose, and
they declared that they would not return into the wilderness. In commanding them to retire from the land of their enemies, God tested their
apparent submission and proved that it was not real.”—Ellen G. White,
Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 391.
Read Luke 17:5, 6. What is Jesus telling us here about faith?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
When the disciples asked for more faith, Jesus said mustard seed-
sized faith was plenty. What counts is whether our faith is alive and
growing, and this can and will happen only as we continue to exercise
that faith by reaching out and trusting in God in all situations.
But doubt sometimes gets in the way. Our world bombards us with
doubt and skepticism; no one is immune. All we can do is pray our way
through it, remembering God’s faithfulness in the past and trusting Him
for our future.
What are all the reasons you have for trusting in God and His
promises and living by faith? Think through them, dwell on
them, and your faith will only increase.