TESTING OF YOUR FAITH

In this sharing, we will be looking at how our faith is tested. What is our faith built upon? How does testing our faith help us to build a stronger faith? What will we receive at the end of our faith?

Before we go into the topic properly, I’d like to share a well-known children’s story. Remember the story of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf? The three little pigs were to build houses to defend themselves from the wolf. The first little pig built its house with straws and the second little pig built its house with sticks. However, the third little pig built its house with solid bricks. As we know, the houses that were made with straws and sticks were blown away by the big bad wolf, and both the first and second little pig escaped to the third little pig’s house, which was made with solid bricks. No matter how hard the wolf puffed, it was not able to break down the house, so the three little pigs were kept safe.

With this short little children’s story, let's see how we can learn some lessons from it, regarding the testing of our faith, as we will face all types of tests, trials, and temptations every day in our lives. As 1 Peter 1:7 says, the trial/genuineness of our faith is much more precious than of gold that perished, and when our faith is tested with fire, we might be found with praise, honour and glory at the appearancing of Jesus Christ. Yes, indeed our faith is being tested each day, but we can also ask ourselves: how and what are we building our faith for, as we face our adversaries, the devil (1 Peter 5:8) or false prophets (Matthew 7: 15), which come to us as ravening wolves in sheep's clothing? Are we building our faith just like straws and sticks which are weak and easily blown away, or are we building our faith with bricks that are strong and solid– able to withstand the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11)? Are we like the wise man who built his house upon a rock or the foolish man who built his house upon the sand (Matthew 7:24-27)?

A question to ask ourselves is  whether our faith is also built  upon the possessions we have. Let us consider Job.1:1-11. Job had plenty of possessions and God had  a conversation with Satan.

Job 1:8-9 (KJV): And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 

God allowed  Satan to test Job by taking all his material things away from him, to see if Job would curse God to His face. 

However, Job’s response in Job 1:21-22 (KJV) was this: And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. How Job has shown the greatest faith in God.

There are many lessons we can learn when our faith is being tested. Consider these verses:

Romans 5:3-4 (KJV) - And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope. 

James 1:3-4 (KJV) - Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

James 1:12 (KJV) - Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Lastly, 1 Peter 1:9 (KJV) - Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. What's more important than our eternal life in heaven.

Ask Yourself:

1. What is more precious than gold that is tested and perished?

2. What does testing of faith worketh?

3. By the end of our faith, what do we get?

Suggested Answers:

1. Our Faith in God.

2. Patience.

3. Salvation of our souls.