Springs Article 2021-03 (4)
James 1:2-4
Hebrews 6:10-15
Hebrews 10:35-39
What should be my attitude towards adversity (tests and trials)?
- Faith and Patience!
- Faith and Patience = Meekness, Matthew 5:5, Hebrews 6:12
- Meekness is staying power: the ability to persevere in faith
- Meekness is the ability to inherit the promises of God!
- Your faith needs to be accompanied by patience and your patience needs to be accompanied by faith
- Godly patience does not imply laziness, complacency or resignation
- Faith implies faithfulness (i.e. consistency, reliability, loyalty)
- Patience implies endurance (perseverance)
- Patient endurance is a good measure of the strength of character. Most sins are a product of impatience (an unwillingness to wait or endure)
- Hebrews 10:35-39, Psalm 27:13-14
- Adversity is an instrument of pruning that helps you to pay attention and grow
How can I keep busy while waiting for my breakthrough?
- Remain in prayer and fellowship!
- Humble yourself before the Lord
- Pay attention to whatever God is saying
- Follow simple instructions (based on the Word and the Spirit)
- Maintain a good confession of faith!
- Hebrews 10:23-25
- Serve the Lord with whatever you have (time, skills, money)
- Sow good seeds into the life of others
- Never give up!
- Galatians 6:6-9, Isaiah 40:31
Why is my growth in character important to God?
- When you grow in your character, you become more useful to God
- When you grow, you can fulfill your purpose, calling and destiny better
- When you grow, you can become a greater blessing to others
- When you grow, you can bring greater pleasure and glory to God
- The ultimate purpose of God in your life is that you grow unto perfection (spiritual maturity) and become like Jesus
- Romans 8:29, Matthew 5:48, Ephesians 4:13-15
2021: A Year of Sanctification