Proof and Faith
Proof and Faith
. . . so that the genuineness of your faith—more valuable than gold, which perishes though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Pet. 1:7)
The Hard Test
For believers in Christ, one of the benefits of life’s difficulties is that they prove the genuineness of our faith. Not in the sense of whether our faith is real or not, but in the sense of its being able to hold up under pressure. Think of a rookie quarterback going through his first NFL training camp. He needs to be tested. He needs to be prepared for what he’ll face once the season starts.
The Passing Score
We tend to think of testing as punishment when we need to look at it like a student who goes into the classroom confident because he has studied and prepared. He doesn’t dread the exam; he welcomes it. He says, “Go ahead, professor, ask me whatever you want. I know the answers.”
Like that student, believers can say, “Go ahead, world, give me your best shot. My God can take it. My faith in Him is strong. My convictions are secure.” The tests of life prove that our faith is genuine, pure, and strong. The tests make us stronger.
The circumstances that seem to be keeping you down today may actually be the ladder that will allow you to climb up. The onslaught that comes your way may be the exercise that tones your spiritual muscles. How you come out on the other side will determine your grade, indicating what you really know.
Bottom Line
Are you passing the test? What will your score be on your test of faith?