May 8, 2017 PROVE IT
James 1:12: “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial, for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 1 Peter 6-7: “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
We have something to prove in this life, and in order to prove something, there has to be a test or a challenge. One error or misunderstanding in Christianity today is that we tend to think that becoming a Christian insures a life where everything goes pretty smoothly because God loves us and will watch over us. God does love us, and He watches over us, but He does not guarantee a life free of trials. God could easily put an end to all trials and difficulties, but He does not for a reason. The sobering truth and reality is that because He loves us, He allows trials to come our way! One of the major things that God is up to is that of transforming us into His image. We were born with a sin nature, separated from God, and without hope. The process of being transformed to the image of God is not small thing. A crucial part of this transformation process is learning how to be overcomers in a world where various trials and difficulties are the norm. The strength and will-power of man is insufficient, and at some point fails, when it comes to living as an overcomer in life. Because God has given us new hearts, new minds and new spirits, and has given the Holy Spirit to live in us, we can be victorious over any trial that comes our way. The main point of the verses above is that trials present us with the opportunity to prove, or demonstrate our faith-faith that God is at work through the trial and that His strength in us is more than sufficient to overcome any trial. To overcome trials the way God designed requires the super-natural. No one likes trials; however, when we view trials with God’s perspective, we can have confidence and a peace that surpasses understanding in the midst of the most difficult trials. (Space does not allow to discuss the origin of trials-whether they are of our own making through bad decisions, or trials that come because of our faith in God-that’s a topic for another day.) God gives great promises to those whose faith is proven by the trial if faces; trials have a way of revealing what is in our heart. Let us remember that blessings await those who persevere under trial, and that the proving of our faith is more precious than gold.
Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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