Christians, I remember my last week of finals in college before graduation. It was a very exciting time for me because for four and a half years I had studied, taken tests, studied more, taken more tests and that routine was getting old. I was ready to kiss those bubble answer sheets goodbye. No more true/false, multiple choice, or the dreaded essay questions. No more fidgeting in my seat, watching the clock, wishing I had studied more, or wanting more time to finish. I thought after graduation, I would get a job, an income/salary, and the only time I would come close to a “test” was filling out a HR survey annually.
Well I did have my final college exam, I kissed those test sheets goodbye. I got job, a nice salary. I had a small office and subordinates and to a business management major, I was on the ladder of success. I got one more thing, one more addition, it was the best/worst thing that could happen to me… I got out of my backsliding lifestyle. Through a series of events God led me through. I quit the job, office, subordinates, salary.
I took a physical labor job, with my brother, in my hometown, living with my parents. I got my life back on track, I started living a pure life. The best thing for me spiritually, the worst thing for my physical man. Then I started reading James and he talks about tests and trials and I began to encounter some.
I quickly realized Christians, that the many tests of God are much harder, much more intense, longer, and more difficult than any bubble sheet I have ever filled out. I was almost longing for that college format, 60 minutes, 40 questions – done. But God had me in such testing, some of it spanning years, decades.
The thing about God’s tests and the tests I took in college, they are very similar. There is a classroom — it’s called life. There is an instructor, the Holy spirit. There is an answer key, the Life of Jesus. The differences are that if you are seeking after God, there is NO failing, He will keep teaching and testing until you have passed. (It does not mean that you cannot drop out, which far too many Christians choose.) My advice Christians, is stay enrolled, He will get you through. All of God’s tests are also OPEN BOOK, and you can ask the instructor the answer and He will tell you, the problem is often we do not like the answer (forgive them, wait on me, give up that for me, turn away from that lifestyle, love them anyway). God’s tests are not about GIVING the right answer, God’s tests are about LIVING the right answer!
Although they can be long, painful, trying and difficult, God’s tests teach us how to live and love like Christ in a fallen world, and they prepare us for His return. You will face trials and tests of many kinds, and you need to face them joyfully because you know the test will be over when you have passed it, you cannot fail, just do not quit! In Jesus Name, Amen.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)
For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36 (KJV)
Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (NIV)
In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end. Deuteronomy 8:16 (NASB)
By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Hebrews 11:17-18 (NIV)
written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2018
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