Category Archives: Character

Bible, Character, Perseverance, Proven, Scripture, Trials, Tribulations

THE REST OF THE STORY

ROMANS 5:4

“and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;”

Have you ever read a good book and stopped short of the finish? Why would you do that? Why not see how it ends? I love to read, but I don’t do it enough. I have a couple of favorite Christian fiction authors that keep me riveted. I could read their stuff all the time. When I finish their latest book, I am looking forward to the next one. But I have never stopped short of the finish.

Today’s verse gives us the next part of the story that Paul began way back in 5:1. Yesterday’s verse was kind of the cliffhanger. He told us to celebrate tribulations because it brings perseverance. Today Paul goes further into proven character and then right back to hope. The Greek word dokimé is translated as “proven character” here. It can mean proof, ordeal, proven worth or test also. The word implies character that is built through testing. That’s what God does in our lives.

APPLICATION

We see dokimé used in 2 Corinthians 8:2. Let’s back up to 8:1 to get the context (that’s always important). “1 Now, brothers and sisters, we make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.” Here dokimé is translated “ordeal.” But look what it produced – abundance of joy and wealth of liberality.

In Philippians 2:22 Paul uses dokimé to describe Timothy whom he was sending to the church there. Paul says that Timothy had proven himself loyal to the gospel by serving alongside him on those arduous missionary journeys. Surely, Timothy suffered with Paul. Surely, Timothy was in great danger many times himself.

Are you proven? Have you gone through the fires of trials in your life and come out on the other side proven by God. I can tell you there is no feeling like it. Coming out of a hard time knowing that it was Jesus Who carried you through is lifechanging. He hardens you to other trials you face. He prepares you through adversity to face life’s challenges. Yes, there is more to the story in each of our lives. How will you choose to face them?

Lord God, You are always faithful to see me through the hard times through which you prepare me for my future journeys.

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Bible, Character, Proven, Scripture, Testing, Trials, Tribulations

PROVEN CHARACTER

PHILIPPIANS 2:22

“But you know of his proven character, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father.”

I like compliments. Don’t you? A sincere compliment is always appreciated. They make you feel better about yourself. Knowing someone has recognized you in that way gives you a sense of confidence. When I receive compliments, I try to be quick to give all the glory to the Lord. I know I am nothing without Him in my life, and He deserves all the credit.

Paul is bragging on Timothy here in today’s verse. He uses a word that is used eight times in the New Testament, seven by him. The word is dokime which the Topical Lexicon describes this way. “The concept of dokime is integral to understanding the Christian journey, as it illustrates the process by which believers are refined and their faith is authenticated through trials. It serves as a reminder that challenges are not merely obstacles but opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God.” Obviously, Timothy had proven his worth to Paul over the years, thus he was entrusted with this journey to Philippi.

APPLICATION

In Romans 5:4 we see dokime used by Paul. Let’s back up to verse 3 to get a better picture of how Paul uses this word. “3 And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;” In these verses, Paul is describing the process and purpose of tribulations and trials in our life. Going through these builds our character.

Recently, I talked to the mother of someone who is going through a stem cell transplant. I was asked to talk to her by a mutual friend. I basically described my own two experiences of my stem cell transplants and how God used them to grow my faith and hopefully my character. Trials are hard, but we know God tests us to build us. That is what I told this mom to share with her daughter.

In 2 Corinthians 8:2 dokime is translated as “ordeal.” Paul says there, “that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality.” Have you gone through an ordeal? Consider it God’s way of making you more like His Son. Amen? Hang in there. Prove faithful, just like Timothy.

Lord, I do not like trials. I had rather avoid them, but You want to use them to make me more like You. For that reason, I will embrace them as they come.

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