The Purpose Of Tests

James 1:12 “Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” ~CSB

We have all heard and are aware that we go through tests in our lives. As we go to church, read the Word of God, and receive the sermons preached, we feel good when we praise God. But when we go back into the world, we grow weary of the tests that constantly occur in our lives. We question the purpose of our Christian walk by saying, ‘I thought things are supposed to get better!’ ‘Why are these things still happening to me?’

We forget the meaning of the word ‘test’. Test is defined as ‘The means by which the presence, quality or genuineness of anything is determined’. It is like going to college for the years of study. Learning from an instructor and then taking a test to see if what we have learned has taken root in our minds. When we pass that test in school and graduate, we are now qualified for a duty or duties required by a job based on our knowledge of being tested and passing. 

It is the same for God’s purpose in our lives. God has places He needs us to be. There are things He will need us to do. But to receive the wisdom, strength and courage we will need to perform our Christian duties as we should, we must be tested before we are qualified. It is the test that will confirm our readiness to work for the kingdom. It is our commitment to the endurance of our trials that please God and allow Him to use His full power of healing, peace and transformation in us and through us. That power will do all those miracles for us and for others around us.

The understanding of trials will come as our relationship with God becomes stronger. Once we begin to understand the tests that constantly come to us, we will understand that for each blessing God has for us, there is a test to take before we get that ‘diploma’. In other words, what we go through are tests until we ‘get it’. Once we ‘get it’, the tests become our job. That job is our duty as Christians to follow God’s commands and follow the servant-hood of making disciples. 

When we endure and stand the tests, we will receive the crown of life that God has promised to us. May God bless and keep you as you walk in Jesus’ name.

Amen

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