Faith, Part 3 of 3Sample

True faith can stand the test

“… for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:3)

Sometimes so much can come at you that you wonder if your faith will hold up. That's why I'd like to end this series of devotionals with encouragement.

The first followers of Jesus did not have it easy. Right after their Lord went to heaven, they faced enmity and persecution. Several of them were eventually killed because of their faith. It was these same people who wrote the books of the New Testament. No wonder the themes of “tribulation” and “persecution” recur frequently in these books!

Peter assures his fellow believers that they “by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). He also knows that their present lives are sometimes very hard. But, he says, your faith is being purified precisely by these hardships. Just as gold becomes purer when you put it in the fire. Something similar is also said by James. He sees in trials a cause for joy, because when our faith is tested, it leads to steadfastness and perseverance. Real faith can stand the test. Not because we as believers are so strong, but because God’s power protects us.

Do you sometimes worry that your faith is too weak? How can today's Bible verses help you with that?

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