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we can and should consider it all joy when
we find ourselves in various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith are
for very noble reasons in our relationship with God
Raphael
Anzivino
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do
not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible
and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation
of your souls. - 1 Peter 1:8-9 New International
Version (NIV)
Here are two specific purposes of your trial:
1. To allow you to
experience the test and adversity and so become a more experienced disciple.
“My brethren, count it all joy
when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith
produces patience. But let [the trial that is designed to produce] patience
[endurance] have its perfect work, that you may be perfect (mature and
seasoned) and complete, lacking nothing.” - James 1: 2-4
When we realize our faith is being tested for a
purpose – for the production of a loyal, enduring spirit, and the production of
some very important spiritual qualities – specific areas to mature and be
experienced in, then we should be more apt to embrace the trial of our faith
and go through the process with God with the known purpose.
In this way, the trial is not completely wasted,
but obtained for its allowed intended purpose.
2. Another specific
purpose of your trial: to show forth your love and loyalty to your Savior and
Lord. This also must be put to the test to show its worth.
“Blessed is the man who endures
temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life
which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” - James 1: 12
Notice here that your love for Jesus endures
temptations; and Jesus’ love for you rewards your enduring love for Him with
special approval and with a crown of life.
3. Another specific
purpose of your trial is to come nearer to God in dependency for more
revelation of Him, for help and comfort from Him, and in turn to pass on to
others what you have received from Him.
Too often believers try to “do it alone”, and
sometimes “act” like everything is okay. In essence they begin to isolate
themselves from the help they desperately need. We all need God, and each
other, to function well.
“Blessed be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who
comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who
are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by
God.
5 For as the sufferings of
Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
6 Now if we are afflicted,
it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the
same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your
consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because
we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake
of the consolation.” - 2 Corinthians 1: 3-7
Here we see, that it’s vital we go to God and
meet with Him when we are in a period of suffering.
James said, “If anyone
is suffering, let him pray.”
Jesus said, “Blessed
are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Through our suffering and meeting with Jesus, we
also get to enter into the fellowship of the sufferings of Christ.
As we fellowship with Jesus in His sufferings,
we also receive direct comfort and consolation from Him. This gives us ability
to be patient in tribulation, ability to effectively minister to others and
share with them what God has shared with us.
“And let us consider one
another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling
of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and
so much the more as you see the Day approaching” - (Hebrews 10: 24-25).
4. Another purpose for
the testing of our faith is to give Jesus opportunity to delight in and reward
your persistent faith, love and loyalty to Him.
“But without faith it is
impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and
that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” - Hebrews 11: 6
“Who are kept by the power of
God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
“In this you greatly rejoice,
though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various
trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold
that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and
glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.
“Though now you do not see
Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls.” - 1 Peter 1: 5-9
Here we see the purpose of the testing of our
faith at the Bema, the Judgment Seat of Christ.
This is the rewards ceremony where Jesus gets to
express the things of His heart toward us for our love and faith toward Him, as
seen in our patient endurance through the difficult times and all the character
that was produced through it all, and all the people that were blessed because
of it.
He will praise (commend), and honor your faith
in Him and all that was attached to that, and He will glorify you big time!
In light of these reasons, we can and should
consider it all joy when we find ourselves in various trials, knowing that the
testing of our faith are for very noble reasons in our relationship with God.
Quote from a fellow Christ-Life Family member:
“The joy that I get in this
trial of waiting is to know that I will show my trust in and loyalty to Him.
Our being joyful in these times of trouble shows that our Father God, Jesus and
His Spirit are enough for us.”
Prayer:
Father, I rest in Your love
and trustworthiness towards me. You are the strength of my life. I set my
attention toward You and receive Your grace to help me be victorious through
this season. Help me to be attentive to anyone that You would lead me to who
needs to be comforted or encouraged in their trial today. Thank You for leading
me and for giving me the victory.
Raphael Anzivino is living proof of the wonder of God's grace, love and power. Born in Texas (1959), his first accident left him with a broken nose at the age of two. At the age of four, he was hit by a car, a hit-and-run driver, that left him broken. Being met with a series of more accidents, he'd become more like Humpty Dumpty whom no one could put back together again, that is until his first encounter with his heavenly Father who began the slow process of the making of a new Raphael, a name which means God heals.
Raphael left his twelve year teaching career in schools to answer God's call to full-time ministry. He is now an ordained minister available to travel to ignite hungry hearts with encounters with the Father and Son and much more.
http://www.hosannafirst.org/remember-when-its-really-tough-your-faith-is/
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