UNTESTED FAITH, IS NOT FAITH

¹ James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:

Greetings.

² Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

⁹ Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰ and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

¹² Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

James 1:1–12 (ESV)

 

How do we count it joyful when life is battering us with challenges that seem to have no end? As David Wilkerson will say, “the trails or problems don’t come just once, but they come in multiples”. It is just like the trials that Job had to endure in Job chapters 1 and 2. Sometimes when you think you have finished dealing with one problem, then a new one surfaces. But in all his trails, Job said something significant in Job 13:15 (NIV) which we are all encouraged to take a cue from. He said “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him”. James also reminds us in today’s scripture reading to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2–4 (NIV).

In today’s reflection, Dr. Charles Stanley shares with us why God allows His children to go through painful and difficult trail. I pray that the Holy Spirit will give you clarity through this message and fill your heart with peace, hope and joy in any challenge you are going through.

Shalom and Peace to you.

 

Maurice Luther

Founder, The Christian Migrant Network

thechristianmigrant@gmail.com