Skip to main content

James 1:3: For You Know That The Testing Of Your Faith Produces Steadfastness


James 1:3
[3] for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. (ESV)

Have you ever experience "test anxiety?" The basic understanding is that test anxiety happens to students who study for an exam, are confident in their mastery of the material, but when it comes to the taking of the test they seem to forget everything and are overcome by incredible panic and anxiety. For them, it is one thing to know the information, but quite another to pass the test.

Let's consider your life as a believer in Jesus Christ. You may have studied the Word of God, and you might even be teaching others it's truth. Perhaps you can recite the Apostles Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and know your church's statement of faith word for word. Yet, when real testing of your faith comes your way you all that you know seems to go out the window and you are overwhelmed by anxiety and panic.

Friend, if this is you, please don't beat yourself up. You are in very good company! I can guarantee you that theologians, pastors, and some of the Lord's finest servants have all struggled with spiritual test anxiety. One of my favorite pastors of history is the great Charles Spurgeon. He led thousands to Christ in his lifetime, pastored the largest church in the world at the time, and . . . had spiritual test anxiety. He wrestled with depression for his whole life.

James has some encouragement for all of us. He lets us know that the testing that tends to overwhelm us and lead us to panic and anxiety is for our good. The testing of our faith produces "steadfastness." In other words, if we pass the test we will become stronger and better equipped to face the next one. God does not abandon us during the test, rather he is with us the whole time. In fact, the tests that we receive our "open book" tests.  As we look to the Word we will find the answers we need to get through the test and our anxiety will be put into its proper place. The closer we get to Christ the more the anxiety will dissipate.

How are you with tests? Do you have "test anxiety?" Know that the Lord is with you. He will even give you the answers to the test. After all, it is open book!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 11:24: For If You Were Cut From What Is By Nature A Wild Olive Tree, And Grafted, Contrary To Nature, Into A Cultivated Olive Tree . . .

Romans 11:24 [24] For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree. (ESV) We continue looking at the illustration of an olive tree. The root of the tree is the covenant relationship relationship of God with Abraham. Abraham's faith is what this spiritual tree is built on. The first branches would have been the faithful people of Israel, who like Abraham, placed their faith in God. They believed God, just like Abraham, and it was credited to them as righteousness. There were branches of the people of Israel who never placed their faith in God. Because these branches were not true followers of God they were broken off of the tree. Faith in God was the essential element that made the branches true branches of this spiritual tree. Some branches remained. Others, the faithless unbelievers, were removed. After Jesu

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co