James wrote, "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance" (James 1:2-3). Does it strike anyone as odd that James would think that the testing of your faith was a good thing? Do we think that testing our own faith is a good thing? I mean, shouldn't we just ... trust?
Testing is important. Jesus commended the church at Ephesus for testing those who called themselves apostles (Rev 2:2). Paul told the Corinthian believers to test themselves (2 Cor 13:5-6). So, how is this testing done? Well, going with James, it is by ... trial. Peter said that enduring trials was proof of faith (1 Peter 1:6-7). God promised that He would test His own people. How? "I have tested you in the furnace of affliction" (Isa 48:10). The author of Hebrews says that Abraham's faith was tested when he was told to sacrifice Isaac (Heb 11:17-19).
Testing is vital. Unfortunately, the test is ... fire. Discomfort. Pain. Crisis. The unwanted moments in life. How do you respond? That's a helpful question to ask yourself. If "fire" is God's choice of testing our faith, what does His testing say about your faith? Do you lean on Him the most when things are the worst, or do you give up or complain or get angry? We all encounter negative events. Scripture says they're for our benefit. Are you rejoicing? How are you doing on this test?
3 comments:
I agree that, in this case, testing is a good thing. It stinks that it often has to be difficult, but our goal isn't our ease or comfort. I'm going through some testing right now, and I try to respond by focusing on YHWH, yet I don't do that as often as I should.
Testing is the only way for us to know what we truly believe. Because the church has not had much testing lately, we see heresy run rampant.
Many years ago, I heard the caution that if you ask God for patience, you should expect trials to follow, for trials are crucial for producing patience and endurance in the believer. (So I am careful not to ask that too flippantly!) I am sure that suffering will either strengthen or dilute one’s conviction, so it would certainly be helpful towards “separating the wheat from the chaff.” Although personally I am not keen to go through trials, I will trust God to do what is needful to increase my faith in Him. May it produce the results that bring Him glory rather than shame upon myself.
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