Question: What is the?

Many of us can still remember, from our school days, this all too familiar illustration. A multiple choice test. The question is posed and the answers displayed, but only one is the right one.

The Bible is full of test narratives, and the view of life that emerges is that life is a continuous testing. The events in life that test us and at every point elicit responses from us actually define our character.

Because character is determined by responses to tests, we remember many biblical characters because of how they respond to tests, positively or negatively .

If we recognize the concept of the tests in our life, it becomes virtually impossible to list them all. All life tests us ! At the same time, none of us have tests that are unique, note:

1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man ; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

This also helps us to understand that all of our tests have the right answers available for us to choose. This also informs us that passing the test of life is always possible.

So how do we prepare for our life's tests?

 I. Test ourselves (trial runs).

2 Corinthians 13:5 “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified.”

 II. Testing produces growth in character, so don't fear them.

James 1:2-4 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

 III. There is a process of virtues that we need to develop.

Romans 5:1-5 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

 IV. Finally, we must grow our faith as we wait for a passing grade.

Philippians 3:8 “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ”

2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

 

Life is a test, don't vex, LIVE !