Affliction can be an opportunity to blessing. In this world, people face afflictions of many kinds. Examples of afflictions are sickness, financial crisis, retrenchment and relationship tensions. Afflictions can either ruin or strengthen a person. Christians, however, can benefit from all kinds of afflictions in life.
Facing afflictions with the wrong attitude can add unnecessary pain to our lives. The Israelites' history was a warning to every Christian. They were destroyed because they did not persevere in hard times. They murmured, complained and rebelled against God because of unbelief. God promised to give them a good land. They refused to press forward towards God’s Promised Land. Instead, their hearts were set to move backward into the land of slavery. Finally, they missed the great blessing that God has planned for them. Christians can also miss divine blessings if they refuse to persevere in hard times towards what God has promised.
In the year 2006, we can trust God to give us all the good things that He has promised us. But this promise is not the guarantee of a life free from hardship or affliction. While moving towards God’s promise, we might face various troubles in life. When faced with troubles, we must not give up our faith in Him. If we give up what we hope for, we will not receive the good blessing He has for us.
Afflictions can work something great in the life of devoted Christians. James 1:2-4 teaches us the reasons why Christians must endure all kinds of trials.
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Why does God allow devoted Christians to go through hard times? Is it because He hates us? No. His motive is pure and good. He has no desire to harm us. His intention is for our good. His purpose for us to go through hardship is to test our faith (verse 3). Faith that has gone through hard times is precious in God's sight. Just like gold can only be valuable after it has gone through fire; God will reward his faithful Christians who stay true to Him till the end, who have remained steadfast in faith in spite of various kinds of hardship. On the day of our Lord’s return, they will be blessed with praise, honor and glory.
What does the Epistle of James say about Christians enduring trials? The purpose of trials is to test how much Christians can persevere in hardship (verse 3). To persevere is to endure hardship without letting go of our hope. It is to stand firm in our faith no matter how unfavorable the situation is. Perseverance is a good virtue to cultivate. Without persevering in hardship, there will not be any breakthrough in life. Those who do not persevere will not be able to attain great things for God. Perseverance is the key to receiving God’s promises for our life. Thank God for the persevering virtue of Job. He did not quit his faith while facing various tribulations. He worshipped and praised God in the time of great loss. Finally, God blessed him doubly more than what he used to possess. Those who passed the test will find it rewarding.
What can the Christian benefit from persevering in trials? A Christian who perseveres to keep his faith can grow into maturity and become complete in Christ (verse 4). A mature person is not childish. A childish person lacks sound judgment and understanding. No one will entrust any great task to an immature person. A mature person, on the other hand, has sound judgment with the ability to discern what is right or wrong. His maturity comes from years of learning the truth and putting it into practice. To grow into maturity, Christians must cultivate the discipline of learning and living in the truth.
The mature Christian is complete in Christ. He has acquired all the good qualities to live a productive life for God's glory. Through his perseverance in keeping his faith to the end, he grows in his saving knowledge of God. He who knows God can do great things. A godly character will be engraved in his life. Besides, he will also grow in self-control. He will not be tempted and fall into the sins of unbelief and rebellion. He will able to enjoy the reward of his perseverance - the good promises that God has prepared for him. In hard times, he can also grow in his love relationship with God. God is with him to bring comfort and open a way out for him so that he can endure hardship and stand firm in his faith till the end. A mature Christian has no lack of good things in Christ Jesus. Joseph is another good example of a man enduring various hard trials in life. He stayed true to God to the end. God gave him discernment, wisdom and insight. God promoted him to be ruler over Egypt. He was complete in God. He did not lack any good qualities to run the country efficiently and to meet the need of people all over the earth in times of famine.
As a conclusion, let us not be weary in times of tribulations in life. Hard times will come but God’s promises remain unchanged. If we persevere in our faith to the end, we will inherit His good promises for us.
Pastor Sarah
Category: cf_ps
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