KBM Trials & Tribultations

Typically, when people think of the phrase “trials and tribulations” it conjures up the false doctrines concerning Jesus’ return one day. And though I don’t want to spend a lot of time on that in this particular study I will simply point out that there is nothing in the bible that points to being able to know when Christ will return (1 Thessalonians 5:1-10). The Father alone, not Christ nor the Holy Spirit knows the time (Matthew 24:36) so there is no way anything in the bible “points humans to it.” Also there is nothing to teach Christ will set foot on this earth. When he comes he will be up in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:17), the earth will be destroyed (2 Peter 3:10), and judgment will take place (2 Peter 3:11-13; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18). With that said what I really want to talk about, concerning trials and tribulations, are the uncertainties and certainties that we should grasp. When Job was going through his trails he had no clue why he was going through such. We know, now, it was for us that we may have a greater understanding when we go through trials. There will be times when we go through these trials and/or tribulations that we simply don’t have “all the facts.” There will be uncertainties with them. Remember Paul and the “thorn in his flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). At first Paul was uncertain as to why he was going through this and prayed for it’s removal. He wasn’t answered right off, in fact it was some time after his third prayer that he was answered. We are going to go through various trials that we might not understand why, however, there are certain certainties that we can also always expect. No matter the trial when we make it through it we can be certain we will be better off spiritually than we were before the trial and/or tribulation started. Notice what James says in James 1:2-4.

James 1:2–4 ESV

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.

It is trails and/or tribulations that allow us the opportunity to grow in our faith. To learn steadfastness so that we can become “perfect & complete” lacking nothing. But how can we, sinners (Romans 3:23), be perfect? The answer lies in Christ. In 1 John 1:7-9 we read this…

1 John 1:7–9 ESV

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.

When we obey the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 6:3-6) we receive all the spiritual blessings that are found in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). One of those blessings is perfection in Christ through our sins being washed away continually as we walk in the light. In other words ever time we sin and then we repent (Acts 8:20-24) and confess the sin (1 John 1:9), it will stay removed forever (Revelation 3:5). What a blessing. So, trials and tribulations are simply tools we can use “with God’s help” to help us grow in our faithfulness which helps us stay faithful unto death so that we can receive the crown of life (Revelation 2:10).