Testing!
(Part
4 of 4)
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers,
whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of
your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you
may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
James
1:2-4
Testing
is part of the maturing process. It develops in us a perseverance which leads
to maturity and wholeness in Christ. However, James is quick to explain that
not every hardship we find ourselves in is a test.
Often
times the struggle we experience when facing temptation can feel like God is
testing us, but testing and temptation have two very different sources and
outcomes:
“When tempted, no one should say, “God is
tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but
each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and
enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when
it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”
James
1:13-15
Do
not confuse testing and temptation. Temptation leads us into sin and destruction.
Testing leads to greater dependence and nearness to God. One is to be endured and the other is to be resisted.
Temptation is not of God because it is destructive, entices us to sin, and
leads to death. Testings, which are designed to strengthen our faith and
develop our perseverance, reflect the concern and goodness of our God:
“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Every
good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly
lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
James
1:16-17
When
tested we should remember one very important truth. Testing is designed to gauge what we have
already learned. A test indicates that prior to this moment; there are things
you should have been learning. I have heard many people say that “God wants me
to learn something through this time of testing.” That makes no sense.
It
is not time to begin the learning process when we are being tested. We should
be exercising what we have already learned through study, opportunities, and
obstacles we have faced leading up to the time of testing.
As
believers, it is God’s desire that we grow in our faith; which means that inevitably
we will face testing. The question then becomes: Are learning what you need to
know to stand the test?
Pastor
Scott Burr
http://faithandworshipseries.blogspot.com/
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