This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
James 1:3
3 Knowing [ginosko] this, that [hoti] the trying [dokimion] of your [humon] faith [pistis] worketh [katergazomai] patience [hupomone]. KJV-Interlinear
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. NASB
'Knowing' means that you have full cognizance of, you are familiar with, you have complete discernment of the facts of a matter. For example, you know your a, b, c's. You are fully aware of the alphabet of your language.
You can read, write, speak and are able to communicate easily because you 'know' your language. You have full command of it. At least enough of a command such that you can function in life.
This does not mean that you can write music, or poetry, or raging love stories. But you can certainly read them or hear them, and comprehend and understand them.
Thus, it is with Bible doctrine. You know it because you have (or should have) studied it, learned it, used it repetitively day in and day out during your life, and that gives you knowledge of doctrine.
But this passage refers to a specific knowledge of doctrine. The testing of the very core of your faith. Is your faith made of metal or mush? Will your faith stand up to the pressures of the blast furnaces of testing, or will it burn away into nothing more than smoke?
The 'testing' is a reference to the many circumstances of life which we all will face sooner or later in life. And these circumstances, you will hope, will be of the nature where you did not cause them, or at the very least, you find yourself in a helpless situation. That is when the power of God can become obvious and effective in your life.
And I say 'you hope,' because when you find yourself in a helpless situation, then your eyes have the opportunity of being opened up to, and receptive of, God in your life.
And 'endurance' is a reference to patience, confidence, stamina, survival, the ability to stick with life without falling apart.
Now again, some tests can be all too obvious like being held captive by terrorists. But then how many of us will find ourselves in that situation? Not many. That does not mean that God does not have a test for each of our lives. Just living day to day and paying bills can be a test. Not to mention the difficulties that accompany bankruptcy, accidents, floods, tornados, unemployment, being dumped by a lover, babies crying, and so forth.
I probably will not mention your life's troubles, but if you are a living and breathing person, then there is a difficulty, or difficulties, which God has designed specifically for you.
And again, you do not meet trouble in life with crying and blame, and a sitting around and do nothing attitude.
God gave us all responsibilities and obligations. These are a part of the Christian life. But where your abilities and resources end, Gods are just getting started. Knowing this builds up confidence within your soul.
