We all have them. Some of us even seem to have more than our share! The Apostle James tells us to count them all joy, but, as we know, that is easier said than done. We must ask what many might think is a silly question. What exactly are trials and tests, anyway? Also, why must we face them and why should we be told to count them a joy? Is there a right way and a wrong way to approach trials? We all have them. Some of us even seem to have more than our share! The Apostle James tells us to count them all joy, but, as we know, that is easier said than done. After having experienced what seems to have been an exceptional Feast, we’ve all had to come back to living life in today’s world. Tomorrow’s World is not here yet and we have to cope with the here and now. Part of that involves dealing with the pressures of life—trials and tests. We must ask what many might think is a silly question. What exactly are trials and tests, anyway? Also, why must we face them and why should we be told to count them a joy? Is there a right way and a wrong way to approach trials? The Greek terms rendered “temptation,” “trial” or “test” in the New Testament are all closely related. They are derived from peirazo, which means “to test,” “try” or “put to the proof,” and from peira, meaning “to attempt” or “to know by experience.” Another word, dokime, meaning “to test the genuineness of something,” is also used. This latter term is found in 1 Peter 1:7 where the testing of our faith is compared to assaying the quality and purity of gold. The book of James tells us that tests (peirasmos, 1:2) have a purpose. They are the process by which the genuineness of our faith is determined (dokime, v. 3). Throughout this process, the quality of steadfast character is developed! We are not only told that we must undergo many tests throughout this life, as indeed all humans must, but we are also given a pattern to follow in handling them. Face it. It is hard enough to maintain a decent attitude when you are going through troubles that you know you brought on yourself. But what about things that are patently unfair? Humanly, we all bristle at the idea of unfairness. If one does not seek to retaliate and even the score, it seems almost, well, un-American! Notice what the Apostle Peter tells us: “For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer for it, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:19–23). The English word “example” in verse 21 is from upogrammos meaning “a writing copy.” It was a term used for a child’s copybook. The child, in copying every stroke of every letter, learned to reproduce the writing of the teacher. Christ is to be our pattern. We are to seek to reproduce His approach to life’s difficulties as closely as possible. Besides Christ’s example, James 5:9–10 cites the prophets as worthy of consideration when it comes to handling trials. Most of the prophets of God suffered for their faithfulness. In addition to them, the Patriarch Job is pointed out in verse 11 as an outstanding example of steadfast faith in the way he handled severe trials. The book of Job is the story of a normal human being who is beset by misfortune and suffering. Look at the specific lessons we can learn about responding to trials as revealed in the book of Job.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Oct 2013 01:04:18 +0000
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