Thursday, October 8, 2015

Faith on Trial

These [trials] have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:7

Faith comes by the grace of God, and trials prove its authenticity. Fire exposes faith forgeries. So is your current challenge a test in faithfulness? It may be hard to hold your head up in faith because of the difficulties we are experiencing. It seems sometimes as if our Savior is on sabbatical, but we still must seek Him.  Fill in the blanks by faith, and love Him even though you cannot feel Him or trace His activity in the present moment. It is faith that facilitates fervent love for the Lord, so continue to believe in Him even though we are unable to see Him.

Furthermore, our faith under fire inherits inexpressible joy through prayer. That seems strange to the uninformed. People may become curious about or a little perturbed by the persistent peace and assurance that travels within the depths of soul that maintains and deepens its connection in the midst of the storms and trials of life. But you know you are saved by the grace of God, for this is your foundation of all things pertaining to God and His kingdom.

Because you have entrusted Him with eternity, you can trust Him with this present trial. Because you trust Him with your soul, you can trust Him with this situation. Do not fret that your faith is under fire and on trial, for this affliction is meant to stoke the fires of your affection for Christ. Turn the tables on trouble by diving deeper into your devotion. It takes trouble to tear off encumbrances to your eternal perspective. Lukewarm living tends to create cataracts in your spiritual eyes.

When you start out as a new disciple, your faith is fresh but you have infantile intimacy. You discover that growth in your faith (like all relationships) comes from resistance. Sometimes life pushes back with pressure and prickly circumstances. When Christ comes into your conflict, your faith increases. Your faith is the most valuable asset you own. Your money may move you closer or further away from faith but it cannot acquire it. Jesus purchased your salvation on the cross. Therefore, the currency that Christ accepts is faith. Yes, give generously to good works, but do not depend on your benevolent acts as a surrogate for belief. 

Your faith either diminishes or compounds in worth. Allow your current crisis of belief to increase your faith. As it grows in your mind and heart, its value increases. If your only faith experience is your salvation, then your faith is stunted. Stunted and immature faith is no match for the inconvenience and injustice of this world. God wants to grow your faith. His revelation is most compelling under pressure.

Therefore, see these tough times as a transition into deeper spiritual maturation, discipleship, and faith. Genuine and expanding faith can be the fruit of fiery trials. Moreover, your strong and authentic faith will be a springboard of comfort to others. Effective ministry is one incredible outcome of adversity. But genuine faith is God’s ultimate goal. Genuineness is like gold. It’s valuable, compelling, inviting, and everlasting. Above all else, it glorifies God.
 
Our prayer:  Father thank you for the trials and tribulations of life that are being used for the trying and developing of my faith.  Supply me with good cheer as I go through, that when I come out of these light afflictions which are but for a moment will produce in me a faith that is pure like Gold.  Amen. 


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Pastor Todd A. Brown
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd.  Mclean Va. 22101
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"
Mission: Exalting, Evangelizing, Equipping, and Encouraging every soul in Christ
Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown
Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.fbcc-va.org

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