In life there are many tests along the way. There are even times when our faith is tested. Think about life in general. Was there a specific test in your life that impacted you?
When I was a child, I took swimming lessons and part of that training was taking a swimming test to qualify to swim in the large pool. The test was designed for our own safety to make sure you could swim in the deeper water.
Testing often brings the best out of us and pushes us to do things we would not do otherwise. Scripture speaks of the testing of our faith and why this is important.
1 Peter1:7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. [1]
Great People of Faith were Tested
Hebrews chapter eleven is often called the faith chapter of the Bible and it talks about many believers whose faith was severely tested. Hebrews 11:36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. [2]
Although the testing of their faith was severe it gives us insight that we, too, can endure great times of testing when we place our hope in the Lord and not ourselves. Their faith was refined like gold just like the verse in 1 Peter 1:7 tells us.
Ordinary Believers Will Have Their Faith Tested
We don’t have to be threatened with death to have our faith tested. Each day is really a test of our faith. Will I spend time with God so I can grow in my relationship with Him? Am I willing to ask someone to forgive me when I was wrong? Will I obey the voice of the Holy Spirit when He prompts me? Each day is made of choices that draw us closer or further away from God. If you are like me, you need to rely on God and call on Him to help you each day. Without God helping us we easily fall into the trap of selfishness.
There will be times when our faith is tested. Take the courageous step today and ask the Lord to help you to be about His will. That is the way we all can be prepared when our faith is tested. To hear more about when our faith is tested, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/faith-makes-a-difference-result-of-faith
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.