"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 honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." —1st Peter 1:7
Many
things in life are the opposite of what most people think. For
example: Most Americans think our troops are defending America's freedom;
when in reality they are being exploited by New World Order leaders
to achieve a Communist global government. Here's another example: Most
people think they can merit Heaven by doing good works; but the Word of God
says even the vilest of sinners will be in Heaven "who believeth on him
[Jesus] that justifieth the ungodly" (Romans 4:5—all
quotes are from the King James Bible).
Most people think backwards, because the Devil always changes the truth into
a lie (Romans 1:25).
Likewise, many believers think God is ignoring
them, or has abandoned them, when bad things happen in their life. So
often we as believers fail to focus on our problems from a Scriptural view.
God says in 1st Peter 1:7 that the "trial of your faith" is "much more
precious than gold that perisheth." Ask the average Christian if
they'd rather have a pile of gold ingots or some trials and tribulations.
Who wouldn't take the gold?
Unshakable Faith Comes From Having Our Faith Shaken
Yet, the Bible says that the problems in our life that test our faithfulness to God, are more precious than gold (i.e., wealth). What a strange concept... to think that the very frustrations, sorrows and tribulations which we face on a daily basis are worth more than a billion dollars in the eyes of God. People often think the opposite of the truth. Whereas most believers sulk in their problems — wondering "why" God won't answer their prayers — the answer is found in 1st Peter 1:7. God desires for us to struggle through life in order to test our faith. We may not like this, but it is Biblical. Hebrews 11:6 states: "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." Faith pleases God, and without faith we are destitute. The trial of our faith please God, because it makes our faith stronger if we hang in there.
Some Beleievers quit on God, becoming bitter because their life lacks the health, wealth and prosperity which they "think" God owes them. America is infested with lying, greedy, church-mongering televangelists who have led millions of naive people to think God will open the windows of Heaven in return for a financial contribution. This is simply not true. In Mark 12:41-44, Jesus said that the poor widow had given more than all the rich people did; yet, the widow was poor and didn't find health, wealth and prosperity (as The 700 Club misleads people to believe). Being a faithful and generous Christian doesn't guarantee us wealth on earth; but God has promised to reward us at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2nd Corinthians 5:10). Lazarus was the good guy (the saved man) in Luke 16, who went to Abraham's Bosom (Paradise), and yet we see he was only a "beggar," eating from the rich man's garbage.
Many Christians in the world today, such as in the nation of Sudan, are still being tortured and killed for their faith. While they have faith in the face of imminent persecution, rape and death; America's Christians are spoiled, materialistic, and angry at God over trifle matters in comparison. Shame on America! The average American has become so materialistic that they couldn't care less about what's going on in the real world...
"Though dozens of documented books have been written on subjects such as Ruby Ridge, Waco, TWA flight 800, the Oklahoma Bombing, the media and the National Education Association (NEA) are constantly suppressing this material. Thus, '...truth is fallen in the street...' (Isaiah 59:14b). Sadly, with respect to what has been made available, the materialistic American public couldn't care less."
SOURCE: How Satan Turned America Against God; by Dr. William P. Grady; pg. 254-255; 2005; ISBN: 0-9628809-3-0
Most people, including Christians, spend much
of their time figuring out how to make more money, how to advance in their
career, and how they can retire early. These are all materialistic
desires. Yet, these things will all perish one day at the grave.
We were born into this world with nothing, and we can take nothing with us
... "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can
carry nothing out" (1st Timothy 6:7). Life is short (Proverb
27:1). James 4:14 states: "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the
morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a
little time, and then vanisheth away."
Have Faith In God
God is still on His throne. We are living in the "perilous times" predicted in 2nd Timothy 3:1-5... "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." This describe America today — nudity abounds, gambling is promoted, booze is glamorized, sin is promoted (e.g., "SIN CITY"), sexual lasciviousness is used as a marketing tool, et cetera. We are living in dark days.
Have faith in God! Although all of the people at our job may be living in sin without concern for the Word of God, we must remain faithful to the Word. When other men display their pornography and joke about their sexual sins, we must take a stand for Jesus Christ. Taking a stand for God can often turn the workplace into a living hell-on-earth. God bless the man who works in such a situation. God curse the wife who disobeys or divorces such a husband in his hour of struggle. There is NO Christianity in feminism. All wifely rebellion is of the Devil. America is dying for Christian ladies who'll submit to their husbands in obedience — being patient, longsuffering and loyal during their husband's darkest hours. God will judge the wife who quits her marriage, abandons her husband and files for divorce. Wifely disobedience is certainly a total lack of faith in God. In 1st Samuel 15:23, God equates rebellion with the sin of witchcraft!
Have faith in God! Faith in God is much
more than merely attending a religious organization, such as a church.
Faith in God is obeying the Bible, even when all hope seems lost, and God is
nowhere to be found. The test of our faith is what it takes to make us
want to quit. Every believer, at some point in life, feels like giving
up and quitting. Jonah ran from God. John the Baptist questioned
if Jesus were even the Christ. Peter cursed and denied any association
with the Lord. Yet, these were all great men of faith who gave their
lives to serve God. Having faith in God doesn't mean that our faith
will never falter; rather, it means that we will rise up again for Jesus
Christ each time we fall. Proverb 24:16: "For a just man falleth
seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into
mischief." In other words, the righteous man at least tries to
live right; but the wicked don't care enough about God to even try.
Every Believer Should Be An Aggressive Soulwinner
What are you doing with your life for God? Are you a genuine born-again Christian? Our focus should continually be upon Heaven and the glorious return of Jesus Christ at the Rapture. This temporal life will soon be past, and only what's done for Christ will last. Daniel 12:3 should prompt every believer to become an aggressive soulwinner ... "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Oh how foolish are most believers today, who have been "...choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection" (Luke 8:14). If you are not a soulwinning Christian, then you are missing the boat, wasting your life in sin (Hebrews 12:1). END
