Why God Tests Us

Since God knows us better than we know ourselves, why does he still test us? This is one issue which young Christians wonder about.

The answer is that it's for our benefit and his glory. How so? James 1:3 (BBE) replies, "Because you have the knowledge that the testing of your faith gives you the power of going on in hope;"

Not only that but we're encouraged to pray for fellow believers. Ephesians 6:18-20  (BBE) says, "With prayers and deep desires, making requests at all times in the Spirit, and keeping watch, with strong purpose, in prayer for all the saints, And for me, that words may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make clear without fear the secret of the good news, For which I am a representative in chains, and that I may say without fear the things which it is right for me to say."

Likewise, we read in 1 Peter 1:6 and 7 (BBE) that our trust in God is built up through testing. "You have cause for great joy in this, though it may have been necessary for you to be troubled for a little time, being tested in all sorts of ways, So that the true metal of your faith, being of much greater value than gold (which, though it comes to an end, is tested by fire), may come to light in praise and glory and honour, at the revelation of Jesus Christ:"

And as I pointed out on Thursday, the Lord works through our trials to help others through theirs. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 3:2 and 3 (BBE) about one example of encouragement. "We sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the good news of Christ, to give you strength and comfort in your faith; So that no man might be moved by these troubles; because you see that these things are part of God's purpose for us."

While settling another matter, Paul had to explain how we all will be rewarded for our faithfulness in 1 Corinthians 3:8 (BBE). Using a farming analogy, he wrote, "Now the planter and the waterer are working for the same end: but they will have their separate rewards in the measure of their work."

Our Lord and Master also assures us in Revelation 22:12 (BBE) that, "See, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give to every man the outcome of his works."

So it's obvious that we go through the testing of our trust to strengthen it. Like exercising muscles, our faith in Christ grows as we make use of it.

I'll explain what faith is all about in my next book, You Think You're Going to Heaven? Many charismatic churches teach that it's some sort of magical power but they don't use those words for it. But it isn't magic but trust in the Father.

On Thursday, providing the Lord doesn't come first, I'll be posting about why sin is so sinful.

Why Consider Suffering Joyous?

To the natural person, this sounds like pure lunacy. Nobody in their right mind wants to suffer. In fact, we do all we can to relieve pain.

Yet we Christians are exhorted to consider all trials and persecution to be a joyous occasion. We find this explanation of being joyful in the midst of suffering in James 1:2 and 3 (BBE) which reads, "Let it be all joy to you, my brothers, when you undergo tests of every sort; Because you have the knowledge that the testing of your faith gives you the power of going on in hope;"

Likewise Peter, no stranger to persecution, wrote in 1 Peter 1:6 and 7 (BBE), "You have cause for great joy in this, though it may have been necessary for you to be troubled for a little time, being tested in all sorts of ways, So that the true metal of your faith, being of much greater value than gold (which, though it comes to an end, is tested by fire), may come to light in praise and glory and honour, at the revelation of Jesus Christ:"

Certainly the first-century Christians understood the honour of being afflicted for the sake of Christ and the gospel. After the disciples were whipped by the temple rulers and warned never to preach about Christ, we read what they did  in Acts 5:41 (BBE). "So they went away from the Sanhedrin, happy to undergo shame for the Name."

The Apostle Paul also recognized the joy which exists in suffering for the sake of our Lord and Master, Jesus. We read in 2 Thessalonians 1:4 and 5 (BBE), "So that we ourselves take pride in you in the churches of God for your untroubled mind and your faith in all the troubles and sorrows which you are going through; Which is a clear sign of the decision which God in his righteousness has made; to give you a part in his kingdom, for which you have undergone this pain;"

So we realize that suffering persecution is a joyous privilege. It tests our faith in Christ. It also gives us hope of recompense for our righteous suffering at the hands of wicked people. We will also be given a glorious reward when Christ returns for standing firm for him. Understood in light of these verses alone, we rejoice to be counted worthy to suffer the blows meant for Christ.

I'm working on a book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? People need to understand that only God's criteria matters regarding whom he lets into his holy habitation.

On Saturday, I hope to post about the value of recognizing one's faults. I also feature a great Canadian band's hit from 1971.