THE PROOF OF YOUR FAITH

THE PROOF OF YOUR FAITH (TESTED BY FIRE) Introduction "So that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:6-7 NASB) "But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10 NASB) 1. Do you have faith? Would it stand up under trial? 2. There are two things I would like to highlight: * Our faith will be put to the test. * We need to prepare ourselves for the day of trial. OUR FAITH WILL BE PROVED * There are "various trials" that can reveal the kind of faith we have: * Here are some examples of those whose faith was wanting: Peter: * He had confidently stated his loyalty and resolve to persevere. (Matthew 26:33-35) * But when his faith was put under trial, he fell! (Matthew 26:69-75) Demas * He was a friend and partner in the spread of the gospel (Colossians 4:14) * but life-threatening circumstances led to his fall from grace. (2 Timothy 4:10). Diotrephes * He was seduced by pre-eminence and power (3 John 1:9-11). There were others who remained faithful in the face of the most severe testing: * Abraham's faith was tried when God told him to offer his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-14). * Asaph's faith was tried when considered the prosperity of the wicked and the suffering of the righteous (Psalms 73:2) * Job's faith was put to the test when Satan was permitted to take away all his possessions, his family, and his health (Job 1:1-2:10). * Jesus was sorely tried in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Each one of us will be tried, and so we should not be caught by surprise: * (1 Peter 4:12, Proverbs 17:3, Philippians 1:29, John 15:20, 2 Timothy 3:12, Matthew 10:25, Acts 14:22, Romans 8:16-18) In what ways will our faith by tried? Here are a few general things that can try our faith: 1. Persecution (cp. Matthew 13:21). 2. The death of relative or friend. 3. The loss of your job or possessions. 4. Cares of the world (Mark 4:19). Catastrophes and human suffering. 5. Brethren who fail to live up to Christian standards. 6. The demoralization of society (Matthew 24:12). One commentator says... "Any thing, any one, or any circumstance may work try our faith. The onus is upon each one to be ever diligent in fortifying our faith that we may stand in the day of trial" (D. Collins) HOW CAN WE FORTIFY OUR FAITH? 1. Always lean on God and not yourself. * Perhaps one problem we have is that, we think we are stronger than is actually the case and are too self-reliant. * If so, we have been lulled into a sense of false security and are setting ourselves up for a fall in the hour of trial (Revelation 3:17-19). * The truth is, we cannot survive, spiritually, without God, and it is essential that we put on the armour of God every day (Ephesians 6:10-18). 2. Right attitude * Developing the right attitude toward those things that try our faith is essential. (Romans 12:1) * It is certainly not pleasant when we have to endure various trials (1 Peter 1:6). * Yet James says we must "consider it all joy...when you encounter various trials" (James 1:2; Luke 6:22-23; Acts 5:41). * Suffering for righteousness sake is a privilege (Philippians 1:29). But how can we possibly count suffering a privilege or joyful? By realizing... * Trials reveal, to God and us, what is in our hearts (Proverbs 17:3). After testing Abraham, God said... (Genesis 22:12) * Suffering for Christ's sake is a joy because it should be the desire of every Christian to know Christ, know the power of His resurrection, and to know the fellowship of His suffering (Philippians 3:10, Romans 8:17) * Persevering under trials not only identifies us with Christ; it brings about God's approval of us (James 1:12; 1 Peter 4:14,1 Peter 2:19) * Persevering under trials has its rewards: Present rewards (James 1:2-3, Romans 5:3-5, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10), and future rewards (Luke 6:22-23, Romans 8:17) Conclusion * The thought of suffering trials, hardship, and temptations is not a pleasant one. But Jesus warns all potential disciples, "If anyone desires to follow Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24). * Our faith will be "tested by fire" and each one of us must continue to build and strengthen his faith. Developing the right attitude and understanding the purpose of God will achieve this. * For our encouragement, we have examples of many saints whose faith were tested by fire and who "came forth as gold" - Abraham, David, Job... * (Hebrews 11:36-40) * Will you come forth as gold when your faith is tried? Whatever may come upon us to try us, we should be encouraged by the following words... (Romans 8:28-39) Amen