-By Gavin Aleogho
“Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience”. James 1:3
If any man claims to have Faith, then his faith must be tried to check if he actually had it in the first place (James 1:3). Every faith must be tested, just like Abraham’s faith in God was tested.
Every Disciple of Christ should expect the testing of faith. The race is not a smooth ride as some suppose. In this road to glory, we are bound to face all kinds of challenges, temptations, tests, and troubles. If anybody preached otherwise, such is preaching falsehood.
It is falsehood to believe that you won’t be Tempted to sin against God. You will be tested to ignore God’s timing by cutting corners. You will be tempted to help God by ignoring basic principles of the Kingdom. You will be tested to see if you are a doer of the word or only a teacher or hearer alone. Expect to be tempted to hold on to God’s word or ignore it.
The great men of old in the Old Testament faced their own individual trials of faith. Our Lord Jesus Christ’s faith was tested. The Apostles were neither exempted from being tested nor were our founding fathers of faith. This is because they all belonged to a Kingdom different from the system of this world. We likewise are not of this world-we are strangers here.
Trials are not allowed by God to kill you, although that is the devils aim. Trials are allowed by God so that you can come out as refined gold. It is not meant to kill you but to make you better. It is working out for a greater glory for you.
All you have to do in regards to the trials of your faith is to:
1. Expect it.
2. Prepare for it by becoming spiritually matured.
3. Rejoice when it comes.
Whenever you are faced with the trials of life, just know that God has already destined and designed a way for you be victorious over that issue, so as to come out a better person.
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure”. 1 Corinthians 10:13.
