Today, focus is on divine grace, revelation, and testing from GOD to produce spiritual growth. The outcomes and products of divine testing should be certainty, continuity, and conviction within sacred relationships. In addition to confession, petitions, and prayers that expose and share their hearts and minds to divinity, believers are to commune with GOD through obedience to divine law, through fellowship with those anointed to minister and serve as well as by spreading the Gospel through ones own lifestyle and daily routine. Believers are to acknowledge affliction, challenges, obstacles, set backs, trials, and suffering as special opportunities to occupy their true place as one dependent upon GOD and a new creation through Jesus Christ. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “john” (Level 1 with 3 points, a January 08, 2015) posted the following:
Why does god test people in the bible?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. (2nd Corinthians 12: 7-10, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: On Law and Sin (06/07/2017); Salvation Takes A Lifetime (04/06/2017); His Children Are Sanctified (10/12/2016); Is Sin a Matter of Temptation? (04/22/2015); The Testing of Job? (10/06/2014); Knowing the Spirit is Inside? (10/07/2014); Continuously Tested (12/31/2013); Chosen To Serve As Prophets (01/01/2014)
“john”, mature Christian believers acknowledge that the process of GOD through their life experience is grounded in one-time events and unchanging truth, yet, also is continual and gradual. Revelation (divinity becoming knowable, known, and “visible” to created beings and living creatures) occurs primarily by their acquiring sacred knowledge, discovery, growth, and learning. The elements we speak of as judgment, testing, and temptation are not intended to determine ones grade, how much they may know, or how well they can perform certain tasks. More correctly understood, those coming into correct relationship with GOD are given opportunities to display their inner endowment of spirit content that has been deposited from the makeup of divinity. Included should be faith, forbearance, forgiveness, gratitude, holiness, longsuffering, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. In the language from Bible days, to “prove” or “test” is one of the final stages when creating and fashioning certain tools and weapons (like test driving an auto before purchase). The tests ensure and reinforce the durability, fitness, and soundness of the device. Consider again the following from Scripture:
(1.) Exodus 16: 3-7, King James Version (KJV): 3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. 4 Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no. 5 And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily. 6 And Moses and Aaron said unto all the children of Israel, At even, then ye shall know that the LORD hath brought you out from the land of Egypt: 7 And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?
(2.) James 1: 12-15, KJV: 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
(3.) 1st Peter 4: 12-13, KJV: 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Of course there is far more to be said, carefully considered, and fully embraced. (For example (4.) 1st Peter 4: 17-19, KJV: 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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