James 1:2-4 (NKJV)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
1 Peter 1:6-7
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been [a]grieved by various trials, 7 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,
One of the things that the student fear in school are the exams or tests.
I'm sure that most of us can relate to that, and it's not a pleasant experience specially if you fail despite the great effort in studying.
In real life that unpleasant experiences of the student having exams are magnified multiple times.
Trial is defined as test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something.
Trial is a formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.
A true believer of Jesus Christ will respond to various trials with pure Joy.
In the Bible, joy means the happiness based on the character of God and not based on the circumstances.
Christians are joyful in trials because God is faithful and He has a good purpose of allowing it.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
1 John 5:4-5
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—[a]our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
James, reminded the believers to treat any kinds of trials as joyful experiences because it will result in the glorification of God and a changed character.
One of the purpose of trials in a believers life is to test our faith.
Genuine faith in Jesus Christ means that our faith will be:
1. Tested
The process in which we can determine or judge properly the truth from error and real from imitations.
E.g. The teacher will give test to the students to determine the lessons learned.
The judge will test or tried the accused to determine if guilty.
The same truth is also applied to our Christian faith. God will test it to prove it's genuineness.
1 Peter 1:7
7 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,
Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of.
- Charles Spurgeon
Sorrows and trials are like the sand and grit that polish a stone.
- G. V. Wigraw
2. Always produce good works or fruits of the Holy Spirit.
When we're undergoing trials, we pray for our needs and sometimes God's timing is not as we expect therefore allowing us to cultivate or exercise patience, one of the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [a]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Those times when you feel like quitting can be times of great opportunity, for God uses your troubles to help you grow.
- Warren Wiersbe
I think Christians fail so often to get answers to their prayers because they do not wait long enough on God. They just drop down and say a few words, and then jump up and forget it and expect God to answer them. Such praying always reminds me of the small boy ringing his neighbor's door-bell, and then running away as fast as he can go.
- E.M. Bounds
Trials should not surprise us, or cause us to doubt God's faithfulness. Rather, we should actually be glad for them. God sends trials to strengthen our trust in him so that our faith will not fail. Our trials keep us trusting; they burn away our self confidence and drive us to our Savior.
- Edmund Clowney
As I look back over fifty years of ministry, I recall innumerable tests, trials and times of crushing pain. But through it all, the Lord has proven faithful, loving, and totally true to all his promises.
- David Wilkerson
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be [b]perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
1 Peter 1:6-7
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been [a]grieved by various trials, 7 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,
I'm sure that most of us can relate to that, and it's not a pleasant experience specially if you fail despite the great effort in studying.
In real life that unpleasant experiences of the student having exams are magnified multiple times.
Trial is defined as test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something.
Trial is a formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.
A true believer of Jesus Christ will respond to various trials with pure Joy.
In the Bible, joy means the happiness based on the character of God and not based on the circumstances.
Christians are joyful in trials because God is faithful and He has a good purpose of allowing it.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
1 John 5:4-5
4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—[a]our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
James, reminded the believers to treat any kinds of trials as joyful experiences because it will result in the glorification of God and a changed character.
One of the purpose of trials in a believers life is to test our faith.
Genuine faith in Jesus Christ means that our faith will be:
1. Tested
The process in which we can determine or judge properly the truth from error and real from imitations.
E.g. The teacher will give test to the students to determine the lessons learned.
The judge will test or tried the accused to determine if guilty.
The same truth is also applied to our Christian faith. God will test it to prove it's genuineness.
1 Peter 1:7
7 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,
Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of.
- Charles Spurgeon
Sorrows and trials are like the sand and grit that polish a stone.
- G. V. Wigraw
2. Always produce good works or fruits of the Holy Spirit.
When we're undergoing trials, we pray for our needs and sometimes God's timing is not as we expect therefore allowing us to cultivate or exercise patience, one of the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-25
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 [a]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Those times when you feel like quitting can be times of great opportunity, for God uses your troubles to help you grow.
- Warren Wiersbe
I think Christians fail so often to get answers to their prayers because they do not wait long enough on God. They just drop down and say a few words, and then jump up and forget it and expect God to answer them. Such praying always reminds me of the small boy ringing his neighbor's door-bell, and then running away as fast as he can go.
- E.M. Bounds
Trials should not surprise us, or cause us to doubt God's faithfulness. Rather, we should actually be glad for them. God sends trials to strengthen our trust in him so that our faith will not fail. Our trials keep us trusting; they burn away our self confidence and drive us to our Savior.
- Edmund Clowney
As I look back over fifty years of ministry, I recall innumerable tests, trials and times of crushing pain. But through it all, the Lord has proven faithful, loving, and totally true to all his promises.
- David Wilkerson
