TRIAL, TEMPTATION AND CHASTISEMENT (JAMES 1:2)

Dear Members in Christ,                                                                                                                   

Trial, Temptation and Chastisement

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations” (cf. James 1:2).

Once we are saved in Christ, it does not mean that there will be no trial, temptation, chastisement and poverty in our lives. It is not a “health, wealth, prosperity, positive thinking, self-esteem and trouble-free” Christian life. The physical body will still undergo the normal process of degeneration, sickness, ageing and, finally, physical death. Do note that the inner spiritual man continues to be renewed each day when he continues to walk close to God (cf. 2 Corinthians 4:16).

The Bible teaches that we should count it all joy when we fall into divers trials and temptations (cf. James 1:2). God is faithful. He will not allow us to suffer beyond our ability to manage or endure. God will provide a way of escape for us. From life’s experience we know that trials and temptations are good for learning, growth and strengthening of faith into Christian maturity (cf. James 1:3-4). We will then be more profitable testimony and vessels for God’s use and for the higher purpose of His plan.

Trial can be defined as an adverse event that comes into our lives. Examples: death of a loved one, loss of a job, accidents, financial challenges and relationships. When trial comes, it is always a very lonely, painful, sad, depressing, frustrating and worrying experience that could last for a short or long period of time. We need to turn to God for help to overcome such burdens. We need His grace and wisdom to overcome the trial. We need to understand that God knows what is the best outcome as we emerge from the trial. God’s answer to our woes is according to His purpose and timing. We know that God’s timing is always the best for us. We will then count it all joy when we fall into such adverse situations.

Temptation is something that comes into our lives to create unhealthy and sinful desires to do something ungodly, wrong and unwise. Examples: smoking of substance of abuse, partaking of alcohol, commit fornication, sin of adultery, devoting time to fun and shopping instead of worshipping God on the Lord’s Day. It always appears harmless and justifiable.  We can always reason and explain away with a seemingly clear conscience. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. Sad but true. There is an immediate gratification as we willingly submit to temptation. It seems to be free with no consequences in our lives. However, be cautious and be forewarned. Satan tempted Adam through Eve, with just a simple fruit, and, the whole mankind fell into sin forever! King David committed adultery and murder and there were deaths in his family. He was also not allowed to build the temple of God. Yes, God can forgive but remember, when we yield to temptations, we have to bear the consequences of sin in our lives.

Chastisement is God’s discipline meted to His own children in order to correct them from their wayward and deviated path. This is like our own earthly parents who disciplined us for our own good. We live in a world where temptations are ever present. Often, we bring these upon ourselves.

Trials, temptations and chastisements: Through all these Christians learn and get to experience God’s love, care and sanctification in their lives as they submit to the chastisement of God. They mature and learn to be more obedient and delight in God’s guidance and presence. They are drawn nearer to God and grow more like Christ. Through this:

a) Christians learn to be more patient, faithful and grow in maturity towards the perfectness of Christ.  

b) Christians learn to seek and call upon God, wait upon Him, trust, obey and depend on Him. They learn about their own weaknesses and the need to depend on God for His will and purpose to be done in their lives. Faith is being exercised.

c) Christians know and learn the goodness of God and will always be close to God despite any odds against them. Christians learn to be separated from the world and not be fearful and ashamed of Christ. Waiting for God to answer prayers in time of need will be our primary nature. Giving glory to God.

Testing and Strengthening of faith: In the case of Job, God allows trials to come into his life. His faith was tested. Job went through the trials with “flying colours”. He stood firm for God. “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:” Job 13:15a. Job finally testified “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:” Job 19:25. At the end of the test, “So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning:” Job 42:12a. May we learn to be like Job when we are faced with trials.

God’s sovereignty: At the young age of 17 years, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, but God meant it to be good in order to accomplish His higher purpose. “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” Genesis 50:20. At a later age of 30 years old, Joseph became the second most powerful person, after Pharoah, in the land of Egypt (cf. Genesis 41:41-46). There is a purpose and reason for all events that had happened in our lives. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28-29.

Conclusion: By going through all these trials, temptations and chastisements many of us experience God’s presence, love, faithfulness, compassion, mercy and grace. We learn about our weaknesses and dependence on God. We know that all things work together for our good. Our faith grows. We become more mature in Christ. Our witness for Christ is even more sure and firm. We learn that our sufficiency is from God. There is no lack in His love and care for each one of us.

Thus, flee from churches which teach and preach the false gospel of “health and wealth, prosperity, positive thinking, self-esteem and trouble-free” Christian life. It is a false gospel. The Bible, from the Old to the New Testament, are filled with many God’s prophets and saints who went through persecutions, pains and sufferings for the witness and testimony of God. Their faith was firmly rooted, grounded and established in God. There was no lack of godly men that were willing to carry the cross and suffer for Christ throughout the ages. 

Even today, there are godly men and churches that continue to earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (cf. Jude 1:3). Seek them out and work together for the great work of salvation as at time of old. For one day when we meet our Lord and Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, may we hear Him say “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21) and NOT “... I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:23). Amen.

In Christ,
Eld. Choe Tong Seng