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"Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations: knowing hat
the proof of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have its perfect work that ye
may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing" (1: 2-4, R.V.).
Peter writes similarly to Hebrew Christians who were enduring suffering:
". . . . . though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold
temptations, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth
though it is proved by fire, might be found unto praise and glory and honour at the
revelation of Jesus Christ" (I Pet. 1: 6, 7, R.V.).
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning fiery trial among you, which cometh upon
you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you . . ." (I Pet. 4: 12, R.V.).
And also the epistle to the Hebrews:
"But call to remembering the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye
endured a great conflict of sufferings; partly, being made a gazing stock both by
reproaches and afflictions . . . . ." (10: 32-33, R.V.).
These believers must understand the reason why these severe tests were permitted by
God, otherwise they would be overwhelmed by them. The Lord is concerned not only
with the fact that each child of His has true faith, but also that this faith might grow and
develop. In His earthly life four times the Lord Jesus had to lament concerning the little
faith of the disciples (Matt. 6: 30; 8: 26; 14: 31; 16: 8), whereas it was the despised
Gentiles who had great faith (matt. 8: 10; 15: 28).
Now faith is like the human body; it cannot develop and grow without exercise, and
this is what trial and suffering, when rightly regarded, do for the faith of a believer.
When the sun shines and all goes well, there does not seem to be a need for faith or
trust in the Lord. But when the storms come, then it is we learn what sort of faith we
possess and how much we are dependent upon our God and Saviour. The more we
exercise our faith in the Lord, the more it grows and the Lord is concerned that we should
be those of `great faith', for otherwise how can we serve Him to the fullest extent? Little
faith will not take us far along the Christian road with all its tests.
James was concerned that his readers should learn this most valuable lesson:
"Knowing that the proof of your faith worketh patience (endurance). And let patience
(endurance) have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing"
(1: 4, R.V.).
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because
you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish
its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" (1: 4, N.I.V.).
The word teleios (perfect) and its cognates is one of the most important words in the
N.T. relating to the believer. The word does not primarily mean sinlessness, but
maturity, leaving spiritual babyhood behind and growing up to adulthood. Only as
spiritual adults can we fully serve the Lord and meet all the tests of the pilgrim pathway.