Passing The Test

For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:3

We have all had our faith tested at one time or another, and it comes in various guises. Sometimes it’s simply in conversation and someone asks, or says, “Oh you’re one of those good living people.” We can either say, “Yes, I’m a Christian” and leave it there, or we can use the opportunity to speak the name of Jesus. Other times, the test is in our actions. We have prayed about something that we really want and then, we can either try our best to make it happen, or we can leave it with God – “Your will be done.”

At times, there are situations that don’t necessarily feel testing, like going out for dinner and discovering they forgot to charge for a dessert. Do we point out the error or decide that the meal was overpriced anyway, or the service wasn’t great, so the freebie makes up for it? And then there are those occasions when we are in work, for example, and a debate has started, and God is coming out as the enemy. We feel strongly about what is being said and want to say something, but we don’t want to look stupid, or get tongue-tied, and the guy having the rant has such a strong boisterous personality that we’re embarrassed he might rip us to sheds…. so, we walk away and say nothing. That last scenario was me. I walked away.

Be watchful, stand firm in the faith… be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

I failed the test that day – I failed to be faithful and I failed to be strong. I should have trusted God to help me speak, to help me stand up for what I believe. So, did that test produce steadfastness? I have to say yes, it did, for it made me determined never to let that happen again, because I would rather be a fool for God than a helper of the devil. I still may not pass every test but I am absolutely steadfast in my faith.

We will all be challenged in different ways and at different times. Let us trust God to help us reflect His truth and His righteousness in every situation that we face.