The Value of Testing

Scott Eric Davis

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TESTING IS NECESSARY

Testing is absolutely necessary in life.

You wouldn’t want to board an airplane unless that plane had been tested proving its airworthiness.

you wouldn't likely want an unqualified pilot to be in control of that aircraft, but only one that has been thoroughly tested

You wouldn't allow a surgeon to operate on you unless first, the surgeon has passed many test proving their ability to have your life in their hands.

You wouldn't pay a premium price for a diamond unless you knew that it had been tested for clarity, cut and color, making sure you get the best possible diamond for your money.

The most desirable Gold is that which has been refined, removing all impurities, it is tested over and over again leaving the absolute purest gold.

There something greater that must be tested, greater than the plane you board, the pilot that flies it, the physician you see and even the gold you buy, and that is your salvation.

The greatest and most important thing in your life is your salvation and its genuineness must be tested, genuine salvation must be subject to testing, examination.

The testing of salvation is all throughout the bible.

Psalm 17:3

Psalm 17:3 (ESV)

3 You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night,

you have tested me, and you will find nothing;

I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.

2. Psalm 26:1-2

Psalm 26:1–2 (ESV)

1 Vindicate me, O Lord,

for I have walked in my integrity,

and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me;

test my heart and my mind.

3.Psalm 139: 23-24

Psalm 139:23–24 (ESV)

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!

5.Galatians 6:4

Galatians 6:4 (ESV)

4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.

6.1 Corinthians 11:28-29

1 Corinthians 11:28–29 (ESV)

28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

7.1 Corinthians 13:5

1 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)

5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

So testing is necessary and biblical

Here is Jesus testing in the Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5:6-7

The book of James is the test of salvation. James looks at the sermon on the Mount to be a list of evidences of genuine salvation.

Poor in Spirit

Those who mourn

the meek

those who hunger and thirst for righteousness

those who are merciful

Pure in heart

peacemakers

those who are persecuted

those who are reviled (hated) on the account of Jesus

they are the salt of the earth

they are the light of of the world

James sees these attributes of the believer as a way of testing yourself of true salvation, that is if you are a true believer you will take on these attributes.

1 John 1:5-10

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 john 2:3

3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.

These are the test, testing is part of life. James is in your face with absolute truths

James 1:22 (ESV)

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

James 2:13 (ESV)

13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

James 2:17 (ESV)

17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

James 2:20 (ESV)

20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?

James 2:26 (ESV)

26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

James 3:13 (ESV)

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

James 4:4 (ESV)

4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Who is James talking to?

The believer

(brother) this is the designation of brothers and sisters in Christ

James uses this title of those who believe. James is showing the character of those in faith.

Now to our text today. If you are a Christian you will be tested.

Now this man James, who is he? James 1:1 does not tell us much,

James 1:1 (ESV)

Greeting

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

Galatians 1:18–19 (ESV)

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.

The author of the book of James is James the brother of the Lord Jesus.

Mark 6:3 (ESV)

3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Sadly, Jesus brothers didn't believe in Him:

John 7:3–5 (ESV)

3 So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. 4 For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For not even his brothers believed in him.

Why is that important to know?

The book of James is written by a man who lives in deep sorrow from not believing that his brother Jesus was the Messiah.

James didn't believe in his brother as the Messiah until later...

After the resurrection of our Lord Jesus many were gathered in the upper room and Jesus shows up...

Acts 1:14 (ESV)

14 All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

1 Corinthians 15:7 (ESV)

7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

Jesus revealed Himself to James first!

That is why James is so passionate.

James 1:2–4 (ESV)

Testing of Your Faith

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2–4 (ESV)

Testing of Your Faith

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

WHO?

Believers

You,me

2.WHAT?

Trials

Testing

3. WHEN?

Exactly, when not if

4. WHERE?

in your faith, anytime, anywhere

5. WHY

Joy v2

Steadfastness v3

Perfectness v4

Completeness v4

Lacking Nothing v4

3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.