My brethren, count it all
joy when you fall into various trials, 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.
--James 1:2--4
It would be nice if we could see the trials in our lives as options, as
electives. It would be nice if we could say, "I'm going to skip the trials
course."
But trials are going to happen in the life of every believer. Notice that
James says, "Count it all joy when
you fall into various trials . . . (James 1:2, emphasis mine). The phrase,
"various trials," could also be translated, "many-colored trials." So no two
trials or experiences are necessarily alike.
You will be tested. The question is, will you pass or fail? We must remember
that God never tests us without a reason.
God's ultimate purpose is to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ. God
wants to produce a family likeness in us. This means that some trials and
testings will show us immediate results, while others will produce long term
ones.
In other words, there are times when I can come through a trial, look back,
and say, "I learned this when I went through that experience." But then there
are times when I come through a difficulty, and I can't tell you what I have
learned.
But what has happened, maybe unnoticed by me, is that I have become a little
bit more like Jesus. He has worked in my life to mold me and shape me into His
own image. It's hard to say what has resulted sometimes. But we can know that
God is in control. And His ultimate purpose is to conform us into the image of
His own dear Son.
For more
relevant and biblical teaching from Pastor Greg Laurie, go to
www.harvest.org.
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