“…knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience”

that the testing of your faith

The purpose of testing our faith is to show how real and strong our faith truly is. “Testing” means proving. God wants to prove how genuine our faith is.

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love” (1 Peter 1:6-8).

James mentions “faith” sixteen times. The book of James exalts faith. He views it as the engine for works. He does not exalt works over faith but faith as the source for works.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Principle:

God will prove our faith by trial to see how genuine it is.

Application:

We need to know that God will test our faith. He so values our faith that he puts it to the test to make it stronger. God wants to verify the genuineness of our faith. Genuine faith is a trustworthy faith.

The test of the trial will prove whether we have a genuine gold faith. The fire shows faith as the supreme energizing principle of the Christian life.