Faith on Trial
Richard Bradley
James 1:1-8
We all hate it when our faith gets tested! None of us like to find ourselves in a situation where we actually have to put our faith in God into practice. We would rather just know that it's there when we need to but not actually need or use it. It's much easier to just slide along in life - no bumps in the road - and not actually have to trust God to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Unfortunately, or perhaps, fortunately, this is just not the way life is. The nature of life being what it is, James recognized that there would be times when our faith would be tested. He further reminded his readers that eventually, we will think on these testing times as joyous occasions. Now there's a concept that needs some explaining and thankfully James does exactly that.
It's good to know that times of testing are not all bad. They just seem that way at the time. Ever go through an experience asking yourself ''what good thing can possibly come from this?'' I have on several occasions and no doubt will do so again in the future. According to James, trials are not all bad. In fact, anything that forces us to stretch our faith can have some absolutely positive effects on our Christian witness.
James 1:1-8
1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ...
Richard Bradley
James 1:1-8
We all hate it when our faith gets tested! None of us like to find ourselves in a situation where we actually have to put our faith in God into practice. We would rather just know that it's there when we need to but not actually need or use it. It's much easier to just slide along in life - no bumps in the road - and not actually have to trust God to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Unfortunately, or perhaps, fortunately, this is just not the way life is. The nature of life being what it is, James recognized that there would be times when our faith would be tested. He further reminded his readers that eventually, we will think on these testing times as joyous occasions. Now there's a concept that needs some explaining and thankfully James does exactly that.
It's good to know that times of testing are not all bad. They just seem that way at the time. Ever go through an experience asking yourself ''what good thing can possibly come from this?'' I have on several occasions and no doubt will do so again in the future. According to James, trials are not all bad. In fact, anything that forces us to stretch our faith can have some absolutely positive effects on our Christian witness.
James 1:1-8
1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ...
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