Articles
Why We Are Tested
Why We Are Tested
1 Peter 1:6-9 -- “[You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, so that [the genuineness] of your faith may be tested, [your faith] which is infinitely more precious than the perishable gold which is tested and purified by fire. [This proving of your faith is intended] to redound to [your] praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) is revealed. Without having seen Him, you love Him; though you do not [even] now see Him, you believe in Him and exalt and thrill with inexpressible and glorious (triumphant, heavenly) joy. [At the same time] you receive the result (outcome, consummation) of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
As Christians, We Are Tested To Increase Our Surrender. In Psalms 119:67, the Bible reads, “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now Your word do I keep [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it].” We are sometimes afflicted in order to encourage our surrender to God and to bring us closer to Him. The trials we will face in this lifetime serve as a spiritual workout for our souls. Some of us are extremely spiritual, holy, and sanctified when everything is going well, but when temptation strikes, we oftentimes go astray. Why is this? It is because too many of us depend on our own strength and resources. However, we must depend on God’s help daily. How do we depend on God daily? We must keep in constant fellowship with Him through prayer. Listen to your Bible! In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, the Bible reads, “Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly].” We must keep in perpetual communication with God through Bible study. In 2 Timothy 2:15, the Bible reads, “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.” We must keep in continual association with the Lord through faithful attendance in worship. In Hebrews 10:25, the Bible reads, “Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.” When we are tested, the test is not designed to cause us to surrender to Satan, but rather to encourage us to surrender all to God. It is through this test we will no longer have a tale to tell, but a testimony.
As Christians, We Are Tested To Insure Our Stability. In 1 Peter 5:10, the Bible reads, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you.” Some of us are unstable and undependable. Oftentimes, we are like children in which we are up and down and run from place to place (Ephesians 4:14). When troubles, trials, and temptations arise in our lives, they may cause us to become temporarily unstable. However, if we just maintain our devotion to God, He will establish us. He will strengthen us. He will settle us. When testing time strikes, we should look for the reason and learn the lesson God is trying to teach. God always has a purpose in what He allows. Listen to your Bible! In Romans 8:28, the Bible reads, “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for the good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.” When we are tested, the test is not designed to weaken us and push us over the edge, but rather to perfect us, so we can either be sinless or sin less.
As Christians, We Are Tested In An Effort To Inspire Others Who Struggle. In Philippians 1:14, the Bible reads, “And [also] most of the brethren have derived fresh confidence in the Lord because of my chains and are much more bold to speak and publish fearlessly the Word of God [acting with more freedom and indifference to the consequences].” Paul was imprisoned for preaching Christ with boldness. As a result of him bravely enduring when tested, others were inspired to speak the word of God fearlessly. Today, God allows us to be tested in order to inspire others. He places confidence in those who watch us, for testing is proof of our faith and endurance. When we are tested, we must not fail God, nor disappoint others who may be inspired by our faith to make spiritual progress. Listen to your Bible! In Matthew 5:16, the Bible reads, “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.” Remember! Our testing may not be because of us, but for all those who are looking at us, so they can learn to overcome like we overcame and begin to trust in God, whom we have always put our trust.
As Christians, We Are Tested For The Purposes Of Invoking Us To Service. In Psalms 118:17, the Bible reads, “I shall not die but live, and shall declare the works and recount the illustrious acts of the Lord.” When we are tested, some of us just want to holler and throw up both our hands. When we are tried, some of us want to simply quit or just lie down and wither away. Well, this could be due to us maybe being self-centered, not wanting a closer walk or a walk at all with God, but rather, we would just wallow in self-pity. However, as Christians, we must accept the challenge when we are tested. God has work for us to do. He may be trying to move us to action. We must understand testing should be viewed and used as a stepping-stone and not a stumbling block. We must reach out to help others. Listen to your Bible! In Galatians 6:10, the Bible reads, “So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God’s family with you, the believers].” We must comfort those in sorrow. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, the Bible reads, “Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.” We must share Christ with the lost. In Philippians 1:12, the Bible reads, “Now I want you to know and continue to rest assured, brethren, that what [has happened] to me [this imprisonment] has actually only served to advance and give a renewed impetus to the [spreading of the] good news (the Gospel).” When God allows us to be tested, it is because He is trying to get us to another level spiritually. We express our spiritual growth through our service to Him, our brethren, others, and ourselves.
When you wonder why you are tested, remember who is guiding you through it all. When you wonder why you are alive, remember who woke you up. When you wonder why you look the way you do, remember who fearfully and wonderfully made you. When you wonder why you have to come to worship, remember who built the church. When you wonder why you have to read your Bible, remember who inspired the words. When you wonder why people hate you, remember who loved you so much He died for you. When you wonder why, just remember who.
