by Susie M. Arviso

Created on: December 16, 2011   Last Updated: December 19, 2011

God tests our faith and truly, He should. He tests it for several reasons which the scripture reveals to us. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:7)

Our faith is more precious to Him than gold.

Gold is purified with fire. When the fire is held on gold, it melts the gold into liquid. Then, the impurities (or dross) come to the surface and can be skimmed off. This is how God works to remove any impurities in our faith. The scriptures also tell us other reasons for testing our faith.

1. To examine the nature or basis of our faith (Eph. 2:8-9, Cor.13:5-6, Heb.11, Jms 2:14)

2. To mature us in Christ (James 1:4)

3. To strengthen our faith (James.1:3)

4. To display God's supernatural power and glory (Rom. 8:28)

5. To identify any area’s of sin or carnality in us (Ps. 139:23-24)

6. To demonstrate the reality of His being, by working in and through us for His Kingdom purposes (Heb. 11:1-34)

Faith does not rely on feelings, emotions or proof. It is pure belief that we have something we need or desire before we even see it with our eyes. (Hebrews 11:1) It is the choice to believe God regardless of how things may look, or what people might say. Our faith is the vehicle which gets us from point A to point B, when it is exercised.

It is faith that pleases God. "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." (Heb. 11:6) So it makes sense that God would test our faith.

Job said: "You examine us every morning and test us every moment." (Job 7:18) This means that our faith is being tested all the time. The next time we find ourselves asking if God is testing one's faith, we can remember this. He is testing our faith all the time, as opposed to randomly.

When we obey what the Lord is telling us via the Holy Spirit at any given moment, this also is a test of our faith. It isn't much different than parents and their children. Parents watch to see if their children will be obedient. They test their children this way.

God tests us so we can experience victory. He walks in faith and believes we will win every test. He is like a proud parent who tells their child to "Go out there and show them what you can do," expecting them to win. God's love for us doesn't change. He doesn't love us less when we fail His tests. He is our greatest cheerleader and encourager.

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." (James 1:3) True, unshakable patience is a sign of maturity. Patience is the fruit of faith in action.

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