Tag: Tested

Genuineness Tested

God does not test me for no reason. He is working to build my endurance and strength to overcome the trials and persecution that come with following Him. I have to embrace the tests to know that I am growing in my faith and to demonstrate my genuineness of faith.

“6In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” — 1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV)

I have for the past bit been studying the words “trial” and “tested” to understand the words and their impact on me as a follower of Christ. I find it difficult to make it through the days without being tested and as a follower of Christ, I wanted to know why all the tests if I am indeed chosen as an heir with Jesus. I got my answers.

I am not tested to challenge my faith and beat me down. I am tested to grow my faith and build me up. These tests that I experience each day are evidence that God is indeed on my side and is working to prepare me for even more to come. Jesus was tested daily to build His strength to go to the cross and die for me and all who have sinned. He was not drenched in robes and ornamentation in His time here in this world. He was no different that me in that He walked through all the worldly things just as I do.

Now, I am not Jesus and will not claim to be. I am just a man and am a follower of Christ. I am however tested to build me up as He was. I am shown the difficulty in the world and given the endurance to overcome that difficulty and proceed with the work He has for me. I follow Christ, not for the wonders of what I receive here in this world, but the wonders received when I have left this world. I need the tests to give me the strength to continue with my genuine walk with Christ and to power through all that is presented to me.

It would be easy for me to just give up and turn away from the LORD. I can avoid the tests altogether by doing so. But, then I would be the hypocrite. I would claim to be the follower of Christ for the optics of the world, and then turn from Him in the interest of satisfying the world view and to avoid the tests that come with the relationship with Christ. My faith would be superficial and not to my core. I would not be genuine and that would be the travesty. I choose to endure the tests that come with my relationship to demonstrate my genuine faith in Jesus Christ my savior.

What is the point of the tests you encounter? Are you looking to avoid them? What if you accepted them as the strength builder as they reveal your genuine faith?

Be Tested

I got to thinking this morning as I was reading and studying. Would it be possible to just not be tested all the time and be able to relax and go through this world on easy street? I know that it is hard in this world, especially as a Christian and that is where I have to ask for some easiness. I am tired and worn out at all of the testing and fighting through it all.

Well, as a Christian, that is not in the cards. I have a job to do for God and that job is hard. The tests is part of the reward. The testing that comes is building my strength so that I can continue and not give up. I need the testing to get me through. I need the testing to develop the stamina and endurance to continue through to the end where I will be rewarded.

This testing is there for all Christians and not just me. I have to remember that I am not the only one being tested in my work for the LORD. All are tested and it is in that testing that we are grown in our faith and recognized to be for the LORD.

“10And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless.” — 1 Timothy 3:10 (ESV)

I am reminded in the above verse that the deacons of the church are tested before becoming deacons. Their skin is toughened, their resolve strengthened, and there devotion to Christ is revealed through the tests that are presented to them. I tend to forget that these men are not selected at birth by the church to be deacons. They are watched and studied and reveal themselves to be mature in Christ. It is their tests and their coming out on the other side which prove them mature. It is not the wishing it to be, but the work that is put in for Christ and then they are chosen to represent the Church as a beacon for the LORD.

I want to be strong. I want to be worthy. I want to be mature. I want to be tested, not to beat me down, but to build me up.

What is your view of being tested? Are you looking for the easy path? What if you embraced the testing as the way through to strength and endurance in your relationship with the LORD?