The measurement of your level of faith comes when life’s adversaries come your way. This is where “practicing what you preach” or “talking the talk and walking the walk” comes in… In other words, “the proof is in your faith-pudding.” This is where you can tell the difference between someone who has the spirit of religion upon them or someone who is truly living and working out their salvation. I say this not to judge, I say this to make you think. Do you REALLY believe what the Word says? Or are you someone who just gives it “mouth service?” When the rubber hits the road does your faith fall to the wayside?
The Bible is full of examples of men and women who were tested by fiery trials. The Bible is the Living Word of God and we often forget that it is to be our GPS for life. Hebrews 13:8 tells us:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
It also tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16:
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
This is why it is so important to immerse ourselves with the Word of God. If you don’t read the Bible, you are tying Holy Spirit’s hands in bringing scriptures and examples to remembrance during those “fiery trial” times. And to be honest with you, because of the fallen world we live in – ESPECIALLY if you profess to be part of God’s Remnant (a follower of Christ) you ARE going to experience them. (Sorry to pop your I-thought-once-I-became-a-Christian-I’d-have-an-easy-life mentality). Time and time again we are made aware of the fact that we are active members IN a spiritual war, there is only black and white – there IS no grey. You are either in the army of the Lord OR you are being deceived by the father of deception, its one way or the other. Ephesians 6:12 tells us:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
All of the stories in the Bible are historical and NOT fictional. We are to utilize and refer to the examples that are given to help us understand the way we SHOULD (and should not) go. ALL of the Word of God is truth. It is there to HELP us, in our own times of trouble. The times may have changed but the situations are ALL the same. Malachi 3:6 says:
“I the Lord do not change.”
Fiery trials are uncomfortable, I get it, I know! I’m quite sure Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (who by the way were REAL people, like you and I) did not “feel” comfortable with having to go against King Nebuchadnezzar when he had commanded everyone to worship and bow down to him. (See the book of Daniel 3:16-28) but their faith and love for God made them obey only Him. Christians today throughout the world are persecuted for their faith, would YOU stand your ground for Jesus? No matter what the cost?
When David faced Goliath, I’m quite sure though he stood strong in his faith, it was not his “favorite” thing to have to do. He had holy anger at the way the Philistines mocked God. It is no different from when people mock God and the Bible in this day and age… Do YOU have holy anger when you witness it? Would you take a stand for Christ if you were facing a situation where you had to speak out? (See 1 Samuel 17 in its entirety).
Mary was a virgin, engaged to be married to Joseph when the angel, Gabriel paid her a visit and indicated that she had been greatly favored to carry the Savior of the world. (See Luke 1:26-38). Mary WILLINGLY submitted to the will of God. Would YOU submit willingly (are you?) to what it is Holy Spirit is wanting you to do?
The times have changed, but fiery trials of faith STILL occur. 1 Peter 4:12-19 tells us:
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
The times have changed but the situations have not. Ecclesiastes 1:9 says:
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.”
What is your level of faith? Do YOU believe the Word of God? This is a place where we really need to search our hearts and see if there is any disbelief or hardness in it. It’s also a place where you have to really decide for yourself what your level of faith in God is? Our God is so gracious that He even tells us in Matthew 17:20:
“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
If you read through all my writings, they are FILLED with scripture, why? Because I refer to and I believe God’s Word. I stand upon it. I trust in it and how much I trust God and in His Word is revealed when I walk through my own fiery trials. God can’t help you if you choose not to believe Him. He is filled with grace and mercy for us as seen in Matthew 17:20:
“He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
When you face opposition for your faith, when you undergo spiritual attacks (and if you have made it a point to be a frontline warrior for the Lord with His calling on your life) or if you are committed and passionate about your walk with the Lord, you WILL be tested to see how true your faith, commitment and love for the Lord is. A perfect Biblical example of this is found in the Book of Job. Read it, it is a really good read. Job had “religious” people around him looking pious and condemning. Ready to jump down his back and read him the riot lesson, I would not be surprised if that did not pertain to some of you reading this post… How are you responding? All of the Apostles (except one) died for their faith in God – would you die for Him? There are times in your walk with Him where you will be given the choice to defend the Word of God and your way of life as a follower of Christ or submit to the world and its ways. Would you? This is where a heart-check is order. Matthew 19:16-30 tells the story of a rich man:
Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself. “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
There is a cost for following Jesus. Are you willing to submit to His will? Come what may? Or will you turn away as the rich man turned away? As God’s Chosen Remnant (Born-Again Believers) our lives are not our own, they belong to Jesus. Galatians 2:20 says:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
God did not tell us that we would not face fiery trials, but He did tell us that He would be with us through it. It’s okay if you stand on shaky legs, but this is where we endure and we pray that Holy Spirit will strengthen what is weak within us. That He will wrap His arms around us and give us peace. Give us assurance. Enable us to TRULY walk by faith IN Christ. We can rest assured that as in 1 John 4:4:
“Greater is He that is in me, than he that is within the world.”
And also in Philippians 1:6:
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
God has got you! Even if we falter, He will catch us because as in Psalm 46:1:
“He is an ever present help in time of trouble.”
At the same time, Jesus tells us in Matthew 10:33:
“But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.”
And Revelations 3:16 says:
“So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
Putting the pedal to the metal of your faith shows ol’ slewfoot that when he pushes you to your limit, you press in harder to the Father. You know who to run to, Your Father, who holds you in the very palms of His hands. So that when this life is over, you will have stand your ground in Him and come forth as gold or as Job said in Job 23:10:
“But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”
Is Holy Spirit speaking to your heart through this word? If so, leave a comment below! I love hearing from you!
9
0
20