We talked about what it means to know in light of this verse. We will now move onto testing of your faith that produces steadfastness. (I think this two might become two posts)
When James is writing that the testing of our faith...he is not implying a literal test. This is not a situation that would serve as a trick, or a pop exam. This is a testing as in a refining. Much more like a person working with metal will put it into a fire for refining and to work with it; this is the context. 1 Peter 1:7 says likewise. Trials come to strengthen our faith; or inevitably that we might have no faith at all.
Romans 5:3-5 is a glorious transaction of what happens with trials have their work. HOPE. Hope springs forth, and not hope in ourselves, or our own strength but hope in Jesus Christ. As we discussed last time, when we can fix our gaze on Jesus we are able to see the scope of lives light and momentary afflictions for what they are. And when we set our gaze on Christ we are in respect looking towards eternal matters. I love verse 5, as we read, "because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." WOW. Do I encounter trials with the knowledge and confidence that God's love has been poured into my heart? Do I then reflect that when fire is put to my feet?
Psalm 91 starts out with He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. This is such a beautiful confidence that we may face trials with. When the testing comes, and it will, may we cling to the hope that is within us- and that hope- is the love of God poured in by the power of the Holy Spirit!! Ironically Psalm 91 is also used and misquoted when Satan tempts Jesus in the wilderness. Notice tempts.... not tries. He says throw yourself down as angels will guard you. Do we not see that as the tongue and cheek response of false teaching today. Just claim Jesus and NOTHING bad will come your way. Name it and Claim it false doctrine that if you are doing good Jesus will bless you. Because no harm will come to you. Ah... but this is not so. We are not promised a life free from trials. James, Paul, Peter, they tell us to expect trials. BUT not without hope. That through our obedience in Christ we will be able to walk through them, and delight in them; because we seem them as a refining fire for the sake our of journey with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 immediately comes to mind, "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Do we walk through trials with our eyes on glory?
Today I am linking to a documentary of a few missionaries with HeartCry. As we watching this Friday night with our kids all of us noticed, the people kept saying how thankful they were for their suffering!!! How can we change our grumbling to gratitude today?
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