One of the character qualities of a mature believer, listed in the epistles, is that of “endurance” (“patience” in KJV*). We are told in Romans 5, and in James 1, that this particular character quality is brought about by suffering, a.k.a. “trials and temptations.” “Endurance” is a translation of a compound Greek word hypo meaning “under” and meno meaning “to stand”, so it literally means to stand up under the circumstances, under the hardships, under the pressure, and even to stand up when you’ve been knocked down….
The story is told that Andrew Jackson’s boyhood friends just couldn’t understand how he became a famous general and then the President of the United States. They knew of other men who had greater talent but who never succeeded. One of Jackson’s friends said, “Why, Jim Brown, who lived right down the pike from Jackson, was not only smarter but he could throw Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match. But look where Andy is now.” Another friend responded, “How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn’t they usually say three times and out?” “Sure, they were supposed to, but not Andy. He would never admit he was beat — he would never stay ‘throwed.’ Jim Brown would get tired, and on the fourth try Andrew Jackson would throw him and be the winner.” Picking up on that idea, someone has said, “The thing that counts is not how many times you are ‘throwed,’ but whether you are willing to stay ‘throwed’.” We may face setbacks, but we must take courage and go forward in faith. Then, through the Holy Spirit’s power we can be the eventual victor over sin and the world. The battle is the Lord’s, so there is no excuse for us to stay “throwed”!
There is a saying among soldiers and tough guys, “You can rest when you’re dead!” We have a better one, “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” So as long as I have breath in my earthly lungs, there is no need to “stay throwed!” Amen?
Yours, for His Church,
Pastor Scott
*As the Bible was continuously translated into English it was English that changed over time..
Makrothumia {Long burn} – “Long-Suffering” in KJV is “Patience” in NASB
Hypomeno {To Stand Under} – “Patience” in KJV is “Endurance” in NASB
When it comes to sharing Christ with others, the issue is not how much we know about Jesus, but how much we love Him. God is not interested in how much we know but in how much we love. When we truly love Jesus, we love others as well, and that is how the good news of the Gospel is spread
Grace Notes 