Faith, Testing of

The Continuous Testing of Our Faith

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The constant tests to which God submits His people enable them to build character by responding in faith. God perfected Abraham's faith through difficult trials.

What Is Faith?

Herbert W. Armstrong Booklet

In these times of world upheaval, with the second coming of Christ near, Jesus Himself questioned whether He would find faith on the earth upon His return. Observing our generation, He foresaw a profound absence of faith, a reality evident as many confess their faith is weak or struggle to muster it. The essence of faith eludes many, yet it remains vital, for without it, none can be saved. Jesus, during His earthly walk, exemplified faith, declaring that of Himself, He could do nothing. Every miracle He performed was through faith, not by His own power, but by the Father dwelling in Him, who did the works. This same power, accessible through the Holy Spirit, was evident in the early apostles and evangelists who performed even greater miracles, showing that such power is available to us if we draw close to God. Yet, today, we often lack this power, not because God withholds it, but because our minds are entangled with material concerns and distanced from Him due to insufficient study of His Word and heartfelt prayer. Faith, as defined, is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. It precedes possession, serving as the confidence that what is asked of God will be received, even before it is tangible. When praying for healing, for instance, the evidence of faith is not the physical sensation of recovery or visible improvement, but the spiritual assurance that God will act. Faith is not dependent on the five senses, which are physical, but is a spiritual matter, rooted in trust in God's promises. Consider a trial where God Almighty is accused of unfaithfulness and failing to honor His promises, such as healing. Your human nature argues with tangible evidence, pointing to persistent pain or visible symptoms as proof that God has not acted. However, the defense, represented by the Holy Spirit, counters with the evidence of faith—simple, patient trust in the truth of God's Word. This faith must be maintained, regardless of what is seen or felt, until God fulfills His promise in His time and way. God does not specify when or how He will heal, often using delays to test faith and build patience, shaping character into His image. Faith is reliance upon God's Word, the assurance that what He has promised, He will perform. It must precede the fulfillment of the promise and remain steadfast until it is realized. To render a verdict in favor of God's faithfulness, one must trust in the spiritual evidence of faith over deceptive physical signs. If faith is held firm, trusting in His promises, the outcome will be as He has assured. Conversely, yielding to doubt and deciding God has failed breaks the agreement to trust Him, resulting in the loss of what was promised. The reason many lack faith is that they seek a feeling or conviction before believing, but faith is not about feelings or impressions; it is solely about God's Word. If He has promised something, trust in that promise, leaving the how and when to Him. Faith is also a gift from God, not something to be worked up through effort, but received by drawing closer to Him through surrender, prayer, and doing His will. Through persistent prayer, one comes to know Him and experiences the joy of spiritual closeness, fostering the very faith of Jesus within.

Will Christ Find Faith?

'Ready Answer' by John O. Reid

The Parable of the Persistent Widow in Luke 18:1-8 emphasizes the importance of persistent prayer and enduring faith amidst trials. Jesus teaches that we must continue to pray and not become discouraged if answers to our prayers are delayed, for God may be testing us, teaching patience, or working out a purpose beyond our sight. We are to trust in His timing, knowing He always acts for our ultimate good. Our role is to persevere in faith, fully relying on Him in all we ask. Jesus contrasts God's faithfulness with the unjust judge in the parable, highlighting that if even a callous judge eventually responds to persistent pleas, how much more will God, who loves His chosen people, answer our cries under trial or in need. He bears long with our oppressors, but will suddenly and unexpectedly act to deliver His elect when the time is right. At the conclusion of this teaching, Jesus poses a profound question: when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? This suggests that true faith may be scarce, even among His followers. The faith He seeks is not merely powerful individual belief, but a complete trust in Him as God, lived out through obedience to every word of God despite worldly pressures. This faith is evidenced by works of righteousness, reflecting a life striving to mirror God's way, as seen in Abraham's obedience. Such obedience, especially when challenging, powerfully demonstrates our faith to Him.

Faith—What Is It?

'Ready Answer' by Pat Higgins

Faith, as an essential requirement for a Christian, is deeply tested through life's trials, revealing the true intent of our hearts. From the beginning, Adam and Eve faced a test of faith in the Garden of Eden, failing to trust God's words and instead relying on what they saw, leading to a broken relationship with Him. Their faithlessness, choosing to follow Satan's deception over God's truth, set a precedent for humanity's struggle to walk by faith rather than sight, resulting in separation from God. Abraham, known as the Father of the Faithful, exemplifies the testing of faith through his willingness to sacrifice Isaac, relying solely on God's promises despite the visible circumstances. His actions proved his trust in God, demonstrating that living faith requires action, not merely intellectual belief. God needed evidence of Abraham's heart, just as He needs to know the depth of our faith before committing to an eternal relationship with us. God often brings us to points of seeming impossibility, like a brick wall or a Red Sea, to test whether we will believe His words or trust our eyes. These trials mirror the experiences of the faithful in Hebrews 11, who, despite not receiving the promise in their lifetime, held fast to God's words as their only evidence. Similarly, our faith is tested in both monumental challenges and daily decisions, requiring us to act on God's promises, no matter the physical evidence or personal cost. The source of this faith is a gift from God, not something we can muster on our own. As we began to believe, our actions—keeping the Sabbath, tithing, and changing habits—became evidence of this gift, showing our desire for a right relationship with Him. Yet, God commands us to examine our faith, recognizing that fear and worry reflect a lack of trust in His sovereignty and love, akin to calling Him unfaithful. Doubting His care, as ancient Israel did, is at the core of faithlessness, a sin that we must overcome. Ultimately, every human will face this test of faith, choosing between believing God or the visible circumstances. God entreats us to stir up the gift of faith He has given, to return to our first love and dedication to His promises, and to choose life by trusting Him completely, no matter the trial.

Faith, Testing of

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