THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH!

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. (James 1:2-3, KJV)

Faith is one of the key ingredients that a child of God needs, not only in our Christian life, but in our day to day life. However the subject of faith could be a bit tricky. Tricky in the sense that sometimes when people say that have faith, what they actually do is “think faith”. That is, they think they have faith when they really don’t. This is because, what we think when it comes to the subject of faith is immaterial, reason being that, thinking you have faith adds no value to you. And quoting scriptures to back our claims does not justify our claims either. We can explore from scriptures the true test and validity of faith. The bible says in Hebrew 11:1, “Now faith is a substance…” and a substance according to one of Google’s definition means “the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists and which has a tangible, solid presence.” In light of the above, the bible says Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness. – Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:3. Don’t forget that this man had to first leave his father’s house, but until his obedience was complete, he struggled. – Genesis 12:1.

The bible says until Lot was separated from him, he didn’t hear a thing from God. – Genesis 13:14. And as regards Isaac, he had to wait for many years that he became confused and mistook his wife’s proposal of their maid as the real thing. – Genesis 16:2. Two among other ways that our faith claim can be trusted is:

i. The source.

Is it a mental or a scripture product?

The bible says faith only comes by God’s Word – Roman 10:17 ii. The validity.

The validity test of our claim is our absolute obedience to God. – Psalm 25:9 In spite of the two above, it is worthy to note that the test of faith is not a one off thing but a process. That is, faith is cultivated. It grows as we grow spiritually. You must have heard new converts testify a lot when they just get converted but if they refuse to grow, you begin to hear things like: “Those days when I pray I get answers almost immediately”.

Yes, but not anymore because God wants us to grow – 1 Corinthians 13:11 “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” – 1 Peter 2:2 “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18 Therefore, it takes meekness to grow in the Spirit and to be guided, but until we desire to understand, we will remain helpless.

We must ask the help of the Holy Spirit to understand the scriptures, if not, the enemies will come and steal the ones we have read and did not understand – Matthew 13:19. No wonder the scripture admonishes in Proverbs 4:7 “‎‎Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” It says get “understanding”! “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple”. Psalm 119:130 It is the entrance of God’s Word that gives light, that is, it is illumination that culminates in understanding. The word “simple” according to the passage above conotes a teachable person. So if we do not submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit who Himself teaches all things, we would be helpless but when understanding comes, we don’t struggle to reflect the glory of God because we are led by the Holy Spirit – Romans 5:5‎. Then when trial comes, what do we do? We take control of the situation and command our authority, and at the end of the day, the suppose trial becomes a testimony. Henceforth, as you submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit, I see you gaining a new order of command in your walk with God, in Jesus Precious Name!

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