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Let us test and examine our ways and return to the Lord! (Lamentations 3:40, ESV).
I was recently asked about the major lessons I’ve learned as a pastor for 49 years. Great question!
I answered. . .
Every pastor and all Christians will go through three significant tests. The test of faith, the test of spiritual discernment, and the test of generosity. Usually, it’s not big “pass or fail” testing moments but daily opportunities to grow in our knowledge of Jesus and grace. We don’t have to be perfect because the key to passing God’s tests is repentance.
The Test of Faith
The testing of your faith produces steadfastness (James 1:3).
As Samuel told King Saul, “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22b). All of us receive tests to speak when silence is easier, to stand when we want to sit, and to act beyond (our seeming) ability.
Will we be like Abraham, after waiting decades for his son to be born, when asked by God to sacrifice Isaac upon the altar (as Genesis 22:2 describes), “Abraham rose early in the morning (v. 3)”?
Will we be quick to obey or obfuscate with excuses?
The Test of Spiritual Discernment
Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1).
At the end of time, we will experience exponential false teaching. Any rumor, slander, or erroneous theology can be magnified by the internet and quickly believed by those who haven’t trained their sense of discernment to distinguish good from evil (read Hebrews 5:11-14).
A major false teaching today is Biblical Progressivism, which focuses on doubt and accusation as the foundation of belief rather than the faith and hope of the New Testament.
The Test of Generosity
Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need (Malachi 3:10).
My wife and I have committed to tithes and offerings our entire marriage. Even through the years of only receiving a salary periodically from which to tithe, we still gave offerings.
Amen! The Lord has poured out blessings in our lives.
Generosity (especially giving money) allows a follower of Jesus to walk closely to the heart of God because “[He] so loved the world that He gave His only son” (John 3:16).
The test of faith, the test of discerning spirits, and the test of generosity — these three tests. And by God’s grace, I might finally be able to get an “A” on a test!
How about you?