Have you ever eaten a tomato that was tasteless, obviously picked prematurely and forced to ripen in a delivery truck on the way to market many miles (or continents) away?
Have you ever bitten into a vine-ripened tomato? What a difference! The vine-ripened tomato is juicy and colorful and it has the full flavor of the sun and the soil and the seasonal rain.
Sometimes in our faith, especially as baby Christians, we want to grow up quickly. We want to show the world how much, and all, that we know. Our enthusiasm is not to be discouraged. But faith cannot be forced ripened. Faith is experiential. Faith is personal. We can learn from others’ trials of faith, but until our own faith is tested we will never know the true power of faith to transform our lives and the world around us.
...knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. (NKJV)
...for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (ESV)
...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. (NIV)
You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you may become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. (The Message)
James 1:4
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