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July 25, 2007
In Pastor's Words
The Practice of a Living Faith
It feels good to take an exam and do well. I’m not sure how many exams I have taken in my life, when you add up driver’s tests in six states and two foreign countries, grammar and high school exams, college exams, seminary exams, acceptance exams for the Evangelical Free Church (with whom I’ve been ordained) and the Africa Inland Mission (with whom Carolyn and I served six terms in Africa), oral exams, written exams, class room exams, correspondence exams, aptitude tests, language proficiency exams for Swahili and Kikamba, and ministry placement exams. There may be others I have forgotten. No matter what the subject or the manner in which the exam is given, preparation is paramount to passing. Remember how it felt on the night before a major exam in high school or college, wondering, “am I ready,” “do I know the material,” “will I sleep tonight?” Remember what you did to prepare? Stay up all night? Lock yourself in a room with “do not disturb” on the bedroom doorknob? Compare notes with friends? Drink lots of coffee for the long night? For Hebrew class at Denver Seminary at 7:00 a.m., we had a mini test three times a week and I can remember driving the five miles from our house in early morning traffic up to the seminary studying Hebrew vocabulary cards on the steering wheel. For other exams I remember isolating myself from everyone and everything for hours studying, forgetting about meals and concentrating on nothing but the subject at hand. It was important to pass!
It’s important to pass God’s tests, too. Facing a trial? It takes faith! Facing a challenge in your life? It takes faith! Facing an important decision? It takes faith! Facing a responsibility you think is too big? It takes faith! How do I prepare for God’s tests in my life? Just as passing tests in school opens the door for advancement, passing God’s tests brings the benefits of strengthened faith, a deeper relationship with God and opportunities for service you could not have before imagined. James says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” The tests of our faith are meant to strengthen our character, deepen our faith and enhance our relationship with God. But how do I pass these tests of faith?
Tests of faith are passed by preparing for them just like any other test. What do I need to do to pass these tests of faith? 1) Study God’s Word through reading, memorizing and listening. This means it’s important to get to church regularly and faithfully as well as to read the Bible at home. “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11), 2) Stay focused on Christ. Keep your eyes upon Him for guidance, example and help. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1), 3) Shun evil, even the appearance of evil, that it may not hinder your walk with God. “Resist him (the devil), standing firm in your faith . . “, 4) Serve the Lord with gladness in that spot that just fits you. “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men” (Ephesians 6:7), and 5) Seek God in prayer. “in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).
Please join us this Sunday as we continue in the Book of James to consider “Faith that Does Work!”
Pastor Ralph Partelow
Posted by Jennifer Herrmann at July 25, 2007 03:41 PM