James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
This week, Michael writes: The same Greek word (“peirasmos”) is translated as either trial or temptation depending on the context. Like the gospel is both good news and bad news, this Greek word can be either a positive trial or negative temptation. In a negative sense, temptation is of the devil. He shows the bait but hides the hook. He is the master of deception. He entices us to sin by appealing to the sinful nature we inherited from Adam ... the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
In the Garden of Eden, the devil disguised as a serpent tempted Eve. His temptation was along two lines. First, he questioned the love of God and then he questioned the word of God. When Eve considered the devil’s question, the devil had her hooked. At that point she was no longer in the Lord’s domain. She was in the devil’s ballpark. When you doubt God and the word of God, all the devil needs to do is reel you in. He has you hook, line, and sinker. He said, “did God really say ...?” She knew exactly what God said. When she considered the devil’s lie and doubted God and the word of God, she sinned ... she missed the mark of God’s high calling.
A trial is defined as: Experience; suffering that puts strength, patience of faith to the test; afflictions or temptations that exercise and prove the graces or virtues of men. Temptation; test of virtue. Every trial, every temptation is a test of faith. an experiment, attempt, proving: the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from the outward circumstances an internal temptation to sin of the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from His divine errand; of the condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from the faith and holiness adversity, affliction, trouble: sent by God and serving to test or prove one's character, faith, holiness temptation (i.e. trial) of God by men’s rebellion against God, by which H is power and justice are, as it were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves. Is God a loving God? Is His word truth? Is he faithful to his promises?
It’s no disgrace to fail at things that are important. Trial and error point us to the truth of God’s promises. The choice is truth or consequences. Trials show us what’s really important.... for tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience (proven character), and experience hope, and hope makes not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. The trials of this life prove God’s character, his quality in us. According to Proverbs 17:3, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart.”
God called his prophet Jeremiah to warn Israel about the consequences of forsaking God and the truth of His holy word. God showed Jeremiah a vision of a basket of good figs and a basket of rotten figs. The rotten figs represented the children of Israel who had turned their hearts away from God and pursued other gods. The good figs represented a remnant of God’s people who despite their captivity remained faithful to His word.
God allows his people to repent ... to return their hearts back to the Lord. God is the God of reconciliation and redemption. According to Jeremiah 24:6-7, “For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.”
The Lord’s tests prove our true character, whether our character ... our quality is wrought of God. Whom the Lord loves, he chastises. The chastening at the time, is painful, but necessary. Through the trial and pressure, the Lord will conform us into the image of His dear son. The word of God is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. The world says that reproof is a negative term. However, reproof is to prove over and over that God is our strength and our sufficiency. Reproof and trials reveal His character in us. “To correct” means to restore to an upright position. It hurts to be straightened but the pain is worth the results. God’s purpose for His righteous judgement is to restore his people upright and be “right” in the eyes of the Lord. Then, when we have our vertical relationships in order, our horizontal relationships will be blessed.
Let's continue Michael's message on Trials in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
No comments:
Post a Comment