Fueled by Faithნიმუში

Day 6 - Faith produces steadfastness.

In James 1, we are told to rejoice when we meet trials of various kinds, but why? We should rejoice when our faith is tested because the testing of our faith produces steadfastness. Christians should rejoice in even the darkest of days, as the Lord will work all for the good of those who love Him, and who are called according to His purpose.

Steadfastness is more than just the ability to endure hardships, it is something that God uses to strengthen character. Steadfastness is what will prepare you for what God has called you to do. Even when it seems like nothing is happening, your faith is being tested as you wait, and that testing will produce steadfastness, which will prepare you to serve God wherever He has called to you serve.

When I first began my journey as a Christian, I remember sobbing every day, praying that God would deliver me from my situation. I have never been one to cry too often, yet I found myself weeping every single day, for several months in a row. It took me a while to learn, but when I learned that I should rejoice in times of waiting, I found that God honored my faith. It is not easy to wait for God to do something, but the reality is that God is already working, and He knew you before time began. As you wait, recognize that your waiting will be used by God and that as your faith is tested, you are being refined by God.

Finally, let us examine what Paul writes in Romans 5, regarding steadfastness.

…but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. [Romans 5:3-5, ESV]

Our faith being tested produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. The Greek word for “endurance” is the same word that is translated as “steadfastness” in James 1:3. Our endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope will never put us to shame. When we hope, we hope in the Lord, and God will never let us down. The testing of our faith should be viewed as a blessing, and we can more easily recognize it as such if we remember that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness.

God does not use some things for good, He does not use a couple of things for good, He does not even use most things for good, God uses all things for the good of those who love Him.

REFLECTION:

1. How can you rejoice in your present situation?
2. Have you ever seen God bring something good out of something that looked bad?
3. What does “character” (in the context of Romans 5:3-5) mean to you?