Here we see that it is not merely to do the will of God that is the test, but that after having attained to that point, that mark of character in our hearts, in our wills (if only partially in the flesh), we should, by patient endurance, establish God's righteous will as the law of our hearts, the rule of life under all circumstances and conditions. Then, and not until then, will we be in the heart condition of fitness for the Kingdom. The Apostle James says, "The trying of your faith worketh patience [patient endurance]"; that is to say, if our faith stands the trial, it will work this character of patient endurance. Of course, on the other hand, if we do not attain to patient endurance, it will mean that our faith has not stood the test satisfactorily, that we are not fit for the Kingdom.
By patience the Bible does not mean merely long-suffering, but that perseverance, steadfastness, constancy, which cheerfully endures obstacles in the way of pressing on in well-doing. By doing the will of God the Apostle seems to mean, developing love until we attain the mark; for the sum of God's will for us, the end of the commandment, is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience and from a faith unfeigned. After we have attained such a degree of love, the one thing necessary is to press on therein perseveringly, in cheerful endurance of every obstacle in the way of our acting out its dictates. This will ultimately make us conquerors, and thus insure our inheriting all the blessings in the Oath-bound promise to the seed of Abraham.
Luke 8:15; 21:19; Gal. 6:9; Heb. 12:1; Jas. 1:3, 4; 5:7, 8; Rom. 2:7; 5:3, 4; 8:25, 35-39; 15:4, 5; Eph. 6:8; Col. 3:24; Heb. 6:12, 15; 1 Pet. 2:19-23; Rev. 1:9; 13:10.
