[Richard]

Yes Bro. Lawrence, the first reaction to the God-given trial/test is that we ask God: “Why me God?” We all feel like Job. But later when we keep our cool and allow things to settle down, we see the hand of God clearly coming out. We understand that God is testing us. Then, we are ready to face it by HIS grace. When we overcome it, the joy that fills our hearts cannot be explained in words. Probably that is ‘heavenly joy’.

[Richard]

Richard Samuel:
The letter from James opens with a stunning statement “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” (1:2).
Trials are for our good. It is like a test/exam given by one’s teacher to assess the student’s intellectual calibre. The end result is the successful student is awarded a degree/prize/award. Similarly, God tries a believer’s faith though trials. If he perseveres under trial “he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him”. (1:12). On the contrary temptations are different. It is brought forth by Satan. God never tempts anyone. The end result of temptation is death.
Trials are tough. Suffering always accompanies trials. Taking into account the advice given by James, if we rejoice in our suffering, accepting that it is a test given by our Creator to test our faith, it becomes a challenge and not a burden/suffering. For instance, during my collegiate service, a colleague of mine wrote a unanimous petition saying that Richard is engaged in converting students. (I was engaging our students on weekly EU Bible study fellowship then). Flashing the unanimous petition my Principal threatened me that he would take disciplinary action against me. Once a group of students even gheraoed me. But by sheer grace of God these threats vanished as quickly as they came. I was very much shaken then, but God’s grace sustained me. Though I was shocked then, later I felt joy for God’s protection me during those testing times.

[Richard]

Yes, Mr. Lawrence. The ideal situation is to face trials and tribulations boldly, with the strength of the Holy Spirit Who dwells in us. But it is easily said than practised. Unless we grow in maturity we cannot withstand such unexpected persecutions. The key lies in developing a close relationship with God, by our daily and meaningful Quiet Time with God and studying the Word of God periodically. Jesus Christ is our model. He defeated the Evil One by quoting Scriptures. Our churches too should expound the Word and present the gospel and teachings on discipleship to its congregation, without any dilution. Sugar-coated messages are a strict NO in the present scenario.

[Richard]

Before dealing with the question of “suffering” it is better we have a clear understanding of “suffering”.
No. 1. We suffer because of our own folly. For example, the road rules say: wear helmet when driving a two-wheeler. You may be going to the church to preach or to preach in an evangelistic meeting. You are caught on the way by the police. You can’t say that you suffered because of police detention. This suffering is because of your folly.
No. 2. On the other hand, as Peter says: “If you suffer, it should not (italics mine) be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” 1 Pet. 4:15, 16. If you suffer for your stand on not giving a bribe, when your colleagues ridicule you when you file your income tax returns showing all your income, for submitting your actual TA bills, when you refuse to apply medical leave for wrong reasons, when you do not compromise on your Christian standards, consider them as an opportunity to glorify HIS name. These sufferings are very elementary. If you fail in these, how can you withstand when greater persecutions strike you – as the Hebrews faced – such as public insult, persecutions and confiscation of their property and the like (Heb. 10:33, 34). The author of Hebrews advises them not to lose their confidence in such trying times and be strong, for they will be rewarded suitably. If we develop this spiritual attribute – perseverance — we can be overcomes.

[Richard]

Hello Jeneita,
Well said Jeneita. False teachings like “Father’s Heart” and “Abundant Grace” are ruining our youth to a large extent. Paul categorically states that “The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning to that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sins; how can we live in it any longer.” Rom. 5:20, 21 & 6:1, 2.
The false teachers know their Bibles well, but they deliberately hide the truth or twist the truth in order to win followers for them and to fill their ever greedy coffers.

• This reply was modified 6 years, 2 months ago by Richard.

[Richard]

Hello Suresh,
I fully agree with you that “Prosperity Gospel” is eating into our Christian society. Nothing wrong with that doctrine per se but taken out of context calls for trouble. In God’s Word, every command/order is followed by a blessing. Eg. Deut. 28. Obedience is the key. Our modern pastors want to make easy money by highlighting the blessings and obliterating the commands. God’s blessings are available to all. We come in the line of Abraham, the man of God who was richly blessed. So we better read the whole Bible.

[Richard]

False teachings abound in every age of Christian history and rapidly in recent times. In post modern times false teaching is a great eyesore to a believer. Some self-styled pastors, have reached the pinnacle of prosperity gospel by telling, “check your wallet, you will find money there, go home and check your bank pass book, money is credited in your account”. How sad!!!
Of late, a three-day conference in Chennai from April 28-30, 2020, titled, “Life: Immortality on Earth” is coming up. They claim that Jesus has conquered death and so human beings too can avoid death and remain immortal on the earth till they wish. Another self-styled pastor says: “I am God; you are God”. The Bible clearly says: “And it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” Heb.9:27
There are cult groups like Jehovah Witness, who deny Jesus Christ. Some groups like “Jesus Only” worship only Jesus and deny the other two Persons in the Trinity. There are some charismatic groups which give importance only to the Holy Spirit and neglect the other two Persons in the Trinity. Though the word “Trinity” is not found in the Bible the Trinitarian concept is found through out the Holy Scriptures, especially in all the letter of St. Paul.
Some false teachers claim that if one does not speak in tongues, he does not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. Some claim that if you have not taken a certain type of baptism, you are not a believer. The Bible clearly warns that “For the time will come when they(people) will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they(people) have itching ears, they(people) will heap up for themselves teachers; and they (false teachers) will turn their (people’s) ears away from the truth and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Tim. 4:3, 4.
The Bible is the only source and the Book for us to remain faithful to Christ.

[Author]

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