~Testing of the Faith ~
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, [JAMES 1:2] [NAS]
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. [JAMES 1:3] [NAS]
~Our Faith will be Tested~
Our faith will be tested, according to James. We will be tested on how we respond to various trials and tribulations. But these trials will produce endurance.
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.[JAMES 1:2-3] [NAS]
As I write this, I’m thinking of some of the people at The Outreach Center in Morganton; where the less fortunate come to get food, education, clothing and support from godly people. Prayer and Jesus Christ is the reason it was organized and continues to operate today. To come to think of it, Jesus Christ is only reason we exist in this alien world. We are to be in this world, but we are not to be of this world.
Now, let me get back to the story before I get too far off track. Sometime back, while working at The Outreach Center, one young lady came to get her groceries and as we took the groceries out to her car I started the conversation with her about any prayer request. We do that at The Outreach Center you know, the prayer is primary and the food is secondary. She was telling me the story of her baby that was born without some of the skin that covers the intestines and stomach. She was telling me about how many reconstructive operations the baby had undergone. She was telling me about the faith she had in Jesus Christ. She was telling me how God was taking care of the baby and the many operations that the baby had. She was telling me about how God had taken care of her and the baby and was healing the baby. She was telling me of HER FAITH IN GOD, even in these times of many trials and tribulations. She was telling me how her faith had not waivered and how her pastor had told her that he had never seen such faith in a person. Now folks, this is a story of faith.
One of the best examples or rather the best example is Jesus Christ himself, having the faith to do what God sent Him here on earth to do. He followed through on the will of the Father. From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. [MAT 16:21] [KJV] It wasn’t an option for Him; He kept the faith and did what was required of Him. He died for the salvation of the world, for everyone that will accept Him as their Savior. As He said in the Scripture above, “He must go into
In closing, let me ask you this question. When trials and tribulations come into you life, are you going to see them as maturing in Christ Jesus and the endurance of those trials and tribulations as perfecting the faith? Or, are you going to use these trials and tribulations as a way to get back at God and run from Him? Just remember what the book of James asks and believe it - it’s the Word of God.
Brother Dewey E. Fox