The Trying Of Our Faith

Many of us have different issues going on in our lives. Some are facing difficulty in their finances, or dealing with the woes of raising children in an uncooperative perverse world, others are experiencing issues in marriage, while many are undergoing pressure from temptations and some, all of the above.

It has been said that if you just “hold on” God will come and see about His children. We as Sons of God have taken that to mean any negatives we experience, God will deliver us out of them if we can just be holy enough and get in the right frame of mind to receive from Him. We spend much of our time trying to figure out how to get God to move in our circumstances, situations and relationships. Needless to say, we have become a people who are co-dependent on the acts of God as was the children of Israel. We define God’s love for us by what we experience in this world. Therefore, our experiences have dictated our state of mind and compromised our state of being.

Some have gotten frustrated and have said, “What’s the use?” There seems to be no movement or accomplishment in the things God has set our hands to do. It is almost as if we are going around in circles and all that we are doing has been done before. We have seen it as a different day same routine, so to speak, and the work of the Holy Ghost is slowly diminishing as the driving force of our servitude to God. “It doesn’t take all of that” or “God knows my heart” begin to ring loud in our thoughts as an orchestra flawlessly performing a well written piece of music. Therefore hearts begin to faint as they look back and compare their lives with those of the world or those who have not embraced the walk of perfection. They begin to think of how much better their lives would have been if they would have made different choices as it pertains to being totally given over to God.

In this state of apathy and unbelief regarding godliness and ministry saints begin to pray to God for strength because they know that they do not really want to go back into the world; and they know that they are saved. Nevertheless, the deception here is that they see this as a trying of their faith. Therefore, some will go through this process over and over again year after year and settle for this being the order of the day.

These ministers and members are struggling with holiness and feelings of non-accomplishment while trying to encourage others to continue in the faith. They have become weary fighting to maintain righteousness and work ministry at the same time. The truth is, much of what they have experienced in salvation is not what the scriptures teach as the trying of our faith, but is in essence merely a time of inconveniences to this earthly body, while we transition to our eternal destiny. It might help to discover the elements that brought them to this place. First of all, this is an inward struggle. Neither Satan nor man has anything to do with it. It is purely gendered by the disposition of the heart toward those things pertaining to God and ministry. These saints could learn from the old patriots; (And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned Hebrews 11:15). If your mind continues to reflect on the things of this world or if you begin to envy the seeming prosperity of the evildoer, then you will eventually forsake your faith and embark on a journey to seek after the things you deem as satisfying.

You must not get caught up or distracted by what is happening or not happening during God’s dispensation in your life. His purpose for your time of sojourning here on earth is already laid out in the scriptures and if you would only believe, His grace in your life has already assured success. Ministry is the working of Christ in the lives of others, it is the help in establishing platforms for others to minister on, and it is the intercessory prayer that changes our nations. Ministry is the complete and unselfish giving of oneself to the welfare of others. Its rewards are peculiar, in that they may not come in the form of silver or gold, fame or fortune. But the reward for ministry is revenge. Oh, how sweet is that revenge, when we are able to destroy the works of Satan in the lives of our sisters and brothers. Our reward is to see the captives set free.

Jesus said, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (St. Luke 9:62). He said this after telling some to come and follow him. But they began to make excuses as to why they could not follow Him at that time. They had things to do, people to see, and business to take care of. Though they heard Him and gravitated to His teachings, their care of this life overrode the commitment to the Master. These men were face to face with Jesus the Christ. How much easier it is for those who consider Him afar off to return to their earthly business rather than follow Him.

This is simple unbelief and double-mindedness. No man starts to build a house without first counting the cost. You have not agreed with the cost of total commitment. The early members of the church sold all their belongings to assure there was no lack among them. Many sold out to make themselves available for ministry. There is no great mystery to this. Those who struggle with the cares of this life simply have not agreed with the cost of commitment. Remember, a double minded man is unstable in all his ways. …Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord (James 1:7).

Secondarily, what is the root of this apathetical behavior regarding ministry? Why the feeling of unaccomplishment? Could it be that when ministers continue to struggle with sin, wantonness and commitment, they establish a mode of operation and a mindset that is passed down to those they serve? Consequently, ministry is redefined and the blessed joy that comes with it is illusive because ministry has been reduced to counseling others to hold fast inside the same scenarios; the same inward struggles and the same apathetic mindset regarding ministry. Both the teacher and the student are weary and deceived. Again the question is, “Why?”

The Lord was very specific in His answer. “You are forever learning but yet not coming to the power of the truth. Many have refused to accept the plight of the sons of God in the world. They are distracted by the cares of this life and in their distraction have allowed themselves to be overwhelmed by want. This gospel is sure and complete. They have rejected the Comforter, who would make their yoke easy and their burdens light. He would give them peace in the midst of their personal storms. This gospel will not change. Faithful men have sealed it with their blood. You must choose to deny yourself and to suffer with Me. You must begin to walk in that which you have learned. The power of the gospel is the same today as in former times. But you are not all doers of the things set before you. You hesitate and drawback in the name of preparation. But the vision is now. It is before you. You are the salt that will loose its savor if you do not hasten to do all that I have commanded. Preach the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth, visit the sick and the fatherless in their afflictions, pray earnest prayers of faith and I will be with you.”

THE TRYING OF OUR FAITH IS THE ACCEPTANCE OF HIS WILL.

As a ministry, we here at Bible Teachers are not being prepared; we are prepared and thoroughly equipped with all things that pertain to this faith. We are to continue in the apostles’ doctrine. We will follow and embrace the teachings of Christ as we understand ministry to be an extension of His time here on earth. Our walk and work must be based on who we are and what we have been called to, not what we have experienced. Our experiences should not be used to interpret the scripture but they should be interpreted by the scripture. As individuals we must chose to serve without doubt or covetousness. We must challenge the devil for the lives of the people. There is no more time. The vision is now.

1 Peter 5:10

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.