The Trial of Your Faith. Part [1] 03/27/2024 (Evening thought)

1st Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations.

The Bible tells us that each and every Christian will have his or her cross to bear, in the form of the trial of our faith. None is exempted, and you do not get a pass just because you preach, do Bible studies, or give out steps to Christ at the corner store. Faith that is not tested cannot be depended upon in times of real danger, and therefore, the Christian in our day must be taken through the various paces so that sterling character, and spiritual maturity might be developed and sealed for eternity on the various levels.

If this isn’t the case then the easy-going Christianity that so many folks have become accustomed to, will buckle under pressure, and at those times when our faith should be shining radiantly, flaws and cracks in our characters would appear, and this could greatly embarrass the kingdom of God. This is what took place when Peter blurted out his unbecoming words under pressure, for it revealed in the public square, that there was major work still to be done in his character.

Jesus was trying to prevent the embarrassing moment when He cautioned Peter to watch and pray, but Jesus’ entreaties fell on deaf ears. It is not the will of God, that the devil should shake down the saints in public, and bring dishonor to the kingdom of God. Hence the reason why God tries to train His servants day by day, so that when prime time comes around, they would be found ready. If Peter had watched and prayed, as Jesus beckoned him to, he would have been victorious in the public square.

1st Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

May God add His blessing to the study of His word. “Good night” and God bless!

Judge Not That You Be Not Judged. Part [14] 03/26/2024 (Morning thought)

James 2: 2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there comes in also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And you have respect to him that wears the good clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

In the meantime, we might use our intelligence, we may have our gut feelings, and we might have our humble opinions, but just remember this one thing, we can be wrong. Let’s give to others the benefit of the doubt, and let us by the grace of God, form the habit of placing the best construction upon the motives, and actions of others because we may save ourselves from making some perilous mistakes, and this world will be made a better place, if we do.

[Gospel Workers pp 271] Ministers should not use flattery or be respecters of persons. There ever has been, and still is, great danger of erring here, of making a little difference with the wealthy, of flattering them by special attention, if not by words. There is danger of “having men's persons in admiration” [Jude 16.] for the sake of gain, but if one does this, he endangers their eternal interests.

We therefore end with a passage of scripture that will help us to steer clear of the tendency to judge motive, or external actions only, for the word of God teaches us to approach all situations, and persons in a manner that is free from those cultural biases, and foregone conclusions, which too often drive the way we form opinions.

James 2:9 But if you have respect to persons, you commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 12 So speak you, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!