Dwight Fletcher | God is working it out - Pt 3

YOUR TRIAL IS WORKING FOR YOU

“ You know that the testing of your faith produces perseveranc.” James 1:3. Trials aren’t fun, but they are producing something good in us. They are producing perseverance. But, for us to produce this virtue, our faith has to be tested. This is where we get involved in the trial, we need to cooperate with God. How do we do that?

Stand in faith, it will be tested.

God allows us to pass through times of testing so that the genuineness of our faith might be revealed. Trials reveal what faith we have. They make our faith evident to ourselves and those around us. It is easy to talk about our faith in God when things are easy, but our faith is really shown in the midst of trial.

Faith must demonstrate itself. Faith is expressed in our action, “ faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”. James 2:17(NIV).

Faith is not simply an idea separate from real life. Faith must express itself through real life. This looks like standing for Jesus when everyone is laughing at you; or making the choice for Jesus, even when you’re tempted to satisfy yourself instead. Faith produces in us right living, right motives, right thinking, and right relationships. Our good works confirm that faith is alive and active in us.

UNTESTED CONVICTION

An athlete might do well conducting drills in practice, but it is only when he or she is on the playfield that the quality of their athletic discipline is revealed. Trials in life are like the playing field of our faith. We might seem to be people of faith when we are among believers in church, but the truth of our faith is only truly revealed when we “get in the game of life”, and have to trust God and remain faithful to Him when things are not so easy. Trials force us to move from talking about faith to walking by faith.

We see this clearly in the life of the Apostle Peter in the Bible. Jesus knew that Peter was chosen to become the first leader of the Jerusalem church, but his faith was weak, and his character was not where it should have been.

To help Peter grow, Satan was allowed to attack him. Listen to Luke 22:31-32 (NIV), “ Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”

Peter was forced, through the trial of our Lord’s crucifixion, to confront the gap between his words and his actual courage. The pressure exposed that much of what he considered to be faith was, in truth, untested conviction that was bold in speech, but weak in practice. However, he also learned more about the genuineness of the Christian faith – that God does forgive, and He does restore. Through His power, one can be made better, not bitter through trials. The Lord used Peter’s trial to strengthen his faith and prepare him to become the leader of the church.

How is God using your trial in this season? Take the time to ask Him. You might be surprised by what you learn.