Trails of your faith
Tests of the trial
(i) Truth
Now in the fiery trial below, there are four things that are tested: the first is the truth of what you believe.
There is nothing like a fiery trial to test the validity of what you believe. Bad theology will not fare well in the fiery trial, so doctrine is very important. A fiery trial proves that if your theology does not help you in the time of trial, it is not worth anything.
(ii) Speech
The second thing to be tested in the fiery trial is our speech. How well you have controlled your tongue is exposed in the trial and sometimes, I fear many times, intemperate speech exasperates or even initiates the very trial that you are in. God allowed it to happen so that you might be exposed. Sometimes you are in a trial, therefore, because you are the one that brought it on.
But a tongue that has been controlled brings a great sense of divine approval under fire. This is why Peter wrote:
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be ready to give an answer to everyone that asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscious, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander (1 Pet. 3:15–16).
When the Day of the Lord comes it will be wonderful to note your progress or embarrassing to see your failure. Nevertheless, if you fail here and now, wait for the second time around. You may well get another chance; pray that you will.
(iii) Strength of character
The third thing tested is strength of character. The fiery trials here below will show whether solid Christian character has been in the making. Proverbs 24:10 says, ‘If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small’ (AV). We tell what we are under fire. If we have been building the superstructure of gold, silver and precious stones, then there will be a manifestation of love, joy, peace and longsuffering. But if we have been building a superstructure of wood, hay and straw, then in the time of trial you know what will come out—jealousy, rage, vengeance, and you will not have any peace at all. Remember, the key to strength of character is the tongue. Then if you feel exposed and feel awful, pray God you will get a second chance.
(iv) Trust
The fourth thing to be tested is your trust. What I mean by that is this: when the trial comes, do you remain calm? Do you have a calm trust in God? Or do panic and unbelief set in? Are you bowled over by the sudden trial, or is there calm? And can you say and really mean, without a whimper, ‘The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, blessed be his name’. The aim of the superstructure of gold, silver and precious stones, is solid and simple trust in God. And at the end of the day, that is what is tested, whether in the heat of the moment your trust is unwavering.
Prepare yourself
How then do we prepare for the fiery trial? If you are in the ‘in-between time’, as Richard Bewes puts it, how do you prepare? Perhaps you are in it right now, how do you prepare for the trial which will surely come?
There are three stages that lie behind the principle that we dealt with previously—the principle being 1 Corinthians 11:31: ‘But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment’. Although it is a verse Paul uses in the context of taking the Lord’s Supper, it is a very important verse for the whole of Christian living.
Persevering in grace
In 1 Corinthians 5 we find Paul dealing with one who was not persevering in grace. He was indulging in the kind of sin that was a disgrace to the church—even Gentiles would not get involved in it. Paul wrote, ‘… hand this man over to Satan so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord’. He was not persevering. Some Christians will be found, I believe, in a backslidden state—to some degree—at the time of the Second Coming of Jesus. I want to ask you a question: can you recall a time in your own life, when if the Lord had come then, you would be very ashamed indeed? You did not have what John called ‘boldness in the day of judgment’, far from it. You knew that you were living in fear; you knew things were not right. That is not the way to receive reward. We must do the opposite: persevere in grace. But how do we do it? It means three things.
(i) Abiding in faith
This is having faith in Christ’s sacrifice, in his substitutionary work, in his satisfaction. It means being found ‘relying on his love’ as John put it in 1 John 4:16. This is what saves us from self-righteousness at the time of the Second Coming of Jesus as well as saving us from self-righteousness now. And if we think it through, and see the implications that come from relying on his love, then we will be convicted of being self-righteous and judgmental, I promise you.
(ii) Abiding in faithfulness
We must also abide in faithfulness. In chapter 4:2, Paul writes, ‘Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful’. Also, Jesus said to the bishop of the Church of Smyrna, ‘Be faithful, even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life’ (Rev. 2:10). It is not enough that you once made a definite commitment. The question is: will you be found committed when Jesus comes?
(iii) Abiding with the fruit
Persevering in grace means producing fruit that is implied not only in 1 Corinthians 3 but in the words of Jesus in John 15:2: ‘He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit’, and verse 4: ‘Remain in me and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine’.
Now Paul could have followed through with an earlier metaphor which comes out in chapter 3:8, when he says that, ‘The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose’ and again in verse 9, ‘For we are God’s fellow-workers, you are God’s field’. He could have used the concept, therefore, of vegetation and fruit, but he chose instead to talk about the superstructure: the building.
So that is the first thing. To have a superstructure of pure gold, one must be persevering in grace. Now if one is truly found persevering in grace, I doubt not that he will have all that I am going to be discussing in the next three points. Any one of these four propositions logically followed says everything that the other three say. But the four propositions cohere; they also clarify what it is that will survive the fire: they show what will be rewarded.
5. THE CHRISTIAN IS CALLED TO DIGNIFY EVERY TRIAL
A. Dignify: to honour, to show respect for.
1. Why should we honour a trial?
(a) Because God has trusted us with it (James 1:2).
(b) Because every trial has a purpose (James 1:3–4).
2. Every trial, then, is a gift of God; to dignify it is to honour him.
B. Principles of trial:
1. Trials are from God.
2. They have a definite purpose.
3. They have their time limit.
(a) The trial will end.
(b) We may think it will last for ever; it will not.
4. How we react to a trial will determine whether we ‘move up higher’in God’s grace.
(a) If we show contempt for it, it will do us no good.
(1) We will have to wait for the next trial before we are likely to grow in grace.
(2) God gives us a second chance to dignify it.
(b) If we dignify it, we move up higher with God and can be trusted with more grace.
5. How to dignify the trial:
(a) Don’t complain when it comes.
(b) Don’t question God.
(c) Accept it graciously.
(d) Ask God to show you its purpose.
(e) Don’t abort it prematurely; let it last as long as God wills.
CONCLUSION
Suffering will always be a mystery until we get to heaven. But we can find some meaning in suffering to the degree we affirm God’s wisdom in everything—even if we don’t understand what is happening.
GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD
Wherever he went, young Joseph incited resentment and jealousy. This favored child of Jacob needed refining, and it was no wonder that his brothers determined to do away with him after he bragged that one day they would bow down to him (see Genesis 37:5–11). Joseph’s story illustrates how God smooths the rough edges of our character by various trials and testings that build confidence in His purpose and provision for us.
The sands of abrasion were very real in Joseph’s life, for God used his trials of rejection and suffering and years of undeserved punishment to soften him. Joseph’s self-centered spirit was replaced with compassion even for those who had tried to harm him (see Genesis 45:8–11). More importantly, Joseph learned to trust God. His most powerful pronouncement was made when he told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).
“The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
(1 Peter 5:10)
B. What Are Some Truths about Trials?
• Trials are experienced by everyone.
“Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12)
• Trials have a divine purpose.
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us.” (Romans 5:3–5)
• Trials last only for a while.
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” (1 Peter 1:6)
• Trials are controlled by God.
“God … will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
• Trials strengthen you in your weaknesses.
“I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
• Trials come with God’s grace for endurance.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
C. What Are Some Types of Trials (Storms)?
• Trials (storms) to rebuke
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” (Matthew 8:23–27)
• Trials to rise above
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘Why did you doubt?’ And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.” (Matthew 14:22–32)
• Trials to ride out
“When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.… But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety.” (Acts 27:20, 41–44)
• Trials we dare not rebuke
“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” (Jonah 1:2)
“And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” (Jonah 2:10)
D. What Process Is Possible During Trials?
Little apple seeds that grow into large apple trees go through a process of change. A process is marked by a series of natural, gradual changes that lead toward an end result. This is exactly what God has in mind when He allows trials to enter your life. If, like the seed, you are willing to die to self, God will begin a process in you that can result in great spiritual growth.
“Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
(John 12:24)
I. DEFINITIONS
A. What Is the Purpose of Trials?
• A trial is the process of proving the quality or worth of something or someone.1
• Trials are tests of your faith, patience or endurance through the process of suffering.2
• Three primary Greek words are translated as “trial” in the New Testament. Each has a slightly different emphasis in meaning, yet they all reveal God’s purpose for trials and suffering.3
—Dokimion … proven faith
A testing trial in which your faith is proved genuine—
“These 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)
—Purosis … refined character
A fiery trial through which your character is refined, as gold is refined (implies suffering)—
“Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12)
—Peirasmos … tested commitment
A trial or temptation through which the quality of your commitment is tested—
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2–4)
BIBLICAL EXAMPLE
Genesis chapters 37–50
GOD MEANS IT FOR GOOD
Wherever he went, young Joseph incited resentment and jealousy. This favored child of Jacob needed refining, and it was no wonder that his brothers determined to do away with him after he bragged that one day they would bow down to him (see Genesis 37:5–11). Joseph’s story illustrates how God smooths the rough edges of our character by various trials and testings that build confidence in His purpose and provision for us.
The sands of abrasion were very real in Joseph’s life, for God used his trials of rejection and suffering and years of undeserved punishment to soften him. Joseph’s self-centered spirit was replaced with compassion even for those who had tried to harm him (see Genesis 45:8–11). More importantly, Joseph learned to trust God. His most powerful pronouncement was made when he told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).
“The God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
(1 Peter 5:10)
B. What Are Some Truths about Trials?
• Trials are experienced by everyone.
“Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” (1 Peter 4:12)
• Trials have a divine purpose.
“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us.” (Romans 5:3–5)
• Trials last only for a while.
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” (1 Peter 1:6)
• Trials are controlled by God.
“God … will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
• Trials strengthen you in your weaknesses.
“I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
• Trials come with God’s grace for endurance.
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
C. What Are Some Types of Trials (Storms)?
• Trials (storms) to rebuke
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, ‘Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!’ He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.” (Matthew 8:23–27)
• Trials to rise above
“Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘Why did you doubt?’ And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.” (Matthew 14:22–32)
• Trials to ride out
“When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.… But the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of the surf. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone reached land in safety.” (Acts 27:20, 41–44)
• Trials we dare not rebuke
“Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” (Jonah 1:2)
“And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land.” (Jonah 2:10)
D. What Process Is Possible During Trials?
Little apple seeds that grow into large apple trees go through a process of change. A process is marked by a series of natural, gradual changes that lead toward an end result. This is exactly what God has in mind when He allows trials to enter your life. If, like the seed, you are willing to die to self, God will begin a process in you that can result in great spiritual growth.
“Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
(John 12:24)
THE PROCESS … IN THE PSALMS
• Trials turn you to God.
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’ These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:1–6)
• Trials bring God to you.
“You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.” (Psalm 10:17)
• Trials motivate you to cry out to God.
“I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy. I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble. When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who know my way. In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me.” (Psalm 142:1–3)
• Trials lead to personal examination.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23–24)
• Trials draw you back to God’s will.
“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.” (Psalm 119:67)
• Trials draw you to God’s Word.
“It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.” (Psalm 119:71)
• Trials produce a hatred of sin.
“Since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.” (1 Peter 4:1)
• Trials produce a heart of humility.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6)
“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.”
(Psalm 126:5)
III. CAUSES
A popular movement today is the “name it and claim it” mentality: “What the mind can conceive, you can achieve.” Even financial success becomes a bonus if you “just believe.” Yet this New Age belief is not biblical, as you can see from the whole counsel of God’s Word. (See 1 Timothy 6:3–10.)
“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.”
(1 Timothy 6:9)
A. Called to Trials and Suffering
CALLED TO COMMITMENT
God calls you to endure the pain of unjust suffering because of your commitment to follow Christ. While Scripture is clear that every authentic Christian experiences the Lord’s provision, to follow in His footsteps means you will also be called to suffer!
“For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
(1 Peter 2:19–21)
CALLED TO CORRECTION
God disciplines you because He loves you—you are His beloved child. Although self-will moves you off course, God puts you back on course by allowing you to suffer the consequences of your sin.
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?”
(Hebrews 12:7)
CALLED TO COMPASSION
God views suffering as the school of experience that can give you a heart of compassion for others. During times of trial your most lasting lessons come from the comfort and counsel of God.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.”
(2 Corinthians 1:3–5)
CALLED TO CONFLICT
God calls you to take a stand for truth and righteousness in the midst of wrong. Those who choose to live godly lives in the midst of worldly values will be criticized and persecuted.
“Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
(2 Timothy 3:12)
CALLED TO CHRISTLIKENESS
God designs refining fires that cleanse your character and conform you to Christ. You can accept your fiery trials when you accept God’s purifying purpose.
“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
(Romans 8:29)
CALLED TO CONQUER
God allows Satan to tempt and attack you, just as he did Christ, in order that you can stand against the enemy and live out of your victorious position in Christ. Jesus defeated Satan, and you are more than a conqueror in Him.
“In all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
(Romans 8:37)