By Derek Prince
I have to tell you, reluctantly, faith will be tested. Untested faith is of no value in the sight of God. Jesus said to the church of Ephesus:
“I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined [tried] in the fire.” (Revelation 3:18)
In ancient times, gold that had not been tested by fire was not considered worth anything. Faith that has not been tested is not valued at all by God.
Let me quote James:
“Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience [endurance]. But let patience [endurance] have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
Do you want to be perfect and complete? You must let endurance have its ‘perfect work.’ That is the trial that you must go through. Peter says elsewhere:
“In this 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 [appearing] of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6–7)
But if we endure, and when we come through the testing of our faith successfully, we will fulfill what we have been created for. Our lives will bring praise, honor and glory to our Lord Jesus Christ.
There is only one way to learn endurance in your walk of faith, and that is by enduring.