GOD'S PURPOSIVE END IN TRIALS
3 And not only that, but we also glory tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance [endurance].
4 and perseverance, character [approved character]; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5 (NKJV)
Tribulations, trials help believers to develop perseverance.
The goal or aim of any tribulation that is permitted by God is to produce perseverance, that is endurance (James 1:3).
The endurance, perseverance, or patience would ultimately results in godly characters—characters approved by God (James 1:2-4).
Without patience-endurance or perseverance we cannot walk with God.
Faith and patience work together. You cannot claim you have faith without patience, both work together.
• The genuineness of your faith is known through trials.
• A man cannot claim he has faith, when the faith has not been tried and tested. In other words, you cannot claim that you have faith when you have not been exposed to challenges of life.
• Strength and authenticity of someone’s faith is known in tribulations—how enduringly or perseveringly he is.
• How you fare in tribulations or trials, when your faith is tested, is the proof or evidence of the quality and genuineness of your faith.
2 MY BRETHREN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU FALL INTO VARIOUS TRIALS,
3 Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience [endurance or perseverance].
4 BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE ITS PERFECT WORK, THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECT [mature] AND COMPLETE, LACKING NOTHING.”
James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
The goal of testing or tribulation is to produce patience, and patience is to make you perfect, that is, mature and complete.
So, when tribulation comes; it is meant to mature you, develop patience-endurance in you, and patience will produce perfection or maturity in you which is known as approved character (Romans 5:4).
When someone is considered to be mature in Christ, it means the person has an approved character. In other words, maturity in Christ means having a godly character, Christlike character, or approved character.
If you see any believer who lacks character, it is because such has not passed through tribulations. He or she is not broken yet!
Someone who has experienced trials or tribulations would have developed patience, which would eventually develop godly characters; that is, if he or she allows patience to have its perfect work: "BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE ITS PERFECT WORK, THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECT [mature] AND COMPLETE, LACKING NOTHING" (James 1:4 NKJV).
• Unbroken believers are full of the self, they are self-conceited and arrogant.
• Such are heady, always want to have their way.
Take note:
Any character defects you do not allow God to deal with in your life would eventually work against you in the assignment committed to your hands.
10 FOR OUR EARTHLY FATHERS DISCIPLINED US FOR A FEW YEARS, doing the best they knew how. BUT GOD'S DISCIPLINE IS ALWAYS GOOD FOR US, SO THAT WE MIGHT SHARE IN HIS HOLINESS.
11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it's painful! But afterwards there will be A PEACEFUL HARVEST OF RIGHT LIVING FOR THOSE WHO ARE TRAINED IN THIS WAY."
Hebrews 12:10,11 (NLT)
The main concern of God is what the trial or tribulation will produce in your life, not your comfort really:
9 NOW I REJOICE, not that you were made sorry, BUT THAT YOUR SORROW LED TO REPENTANCE. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 FOR GODLY SORROW PRODUCES REPENTANCE LEADING TO SALVATION, not to be regretted; BUT THE SORROW OF THE WORLD PRODUCES DEATH" (2 Corinthians 7:9,10 NKJV).
Thus, If you have found yourself in various trials and tribulations lately; do not be despaired, God is working on you to mature you—because He has a purpose for your life.
I want to enjoin you to cooperate with God and allow Him to do whatever He intends to do; you will not regret you did submit to Him.
“INDEED, WE COUNT THEM BLESSED WHO ENDURE. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen THE END INTENDED BY THE LORD—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”
James 5:11 (NKJV)
"AND THE LORD RESTORED JOB LOSSES WHEN HE PRAYED FOR HIS FRIENDS. Indeed, the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before."
Job 42:10 (NKJV)
"TRIBULATION PRODUCES PERSEVERANCE; AND PERSEVERANCE, CHARACTER; AND CHARACTER, HOPE. NOW HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT" (Romans 5:3-5 NKJV).
"BLESSED [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] IS THE MAN WHO IS STEADFAST UNDER TRIAL AND PERSEVERES WHEN TEMPTED; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor's] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
James 1:12 (Amp.)
You will not fail in Jesus' name. Peace!