As believers who articulate our faith, we are going to be tested.

If we pass the test, even though there may be times of struggle and times of doubt,

our faith is not destroyed, it is not eliminated. We hold to Him because we love Him.

If that's the case, then we will be blessed.

10

Welcome to Grace to you with John MacArthur. I'm your host, Phil Johnson.

A great preacher said that all trials serve two purposes, to better acquaint you with your own

sinful heart and with your Lord and Savior. Now, it's one thing to agree with those words

after you have come through a trial. But what do you do when your suffering never seems to end?

Bottom line, how can you be sure that God will get you through the toughest times?

John MacArthur has encouraging answers today as he takes a practical look at benefiting from life

trials. Now here's John. Let's open our Bibles to the first chapter of James. Now let's go to

verse 12 and look a little more at that verse. As believers who articulate our faith, we are

going to be tested. If we pass the test holding on to the Lord, even though there may be times of

struggle and times of doubt, our faith is not destroyed, it is not eliminated. We hold to Him because

we love Him. If that's the case, then we will be blessed. Now to some this idea, let me suggest you

that the purpose of the testing is then too full. Number one, its purpose is to expose the quality of

faith. Testing, as I've been saying, is designed to reveal what kind of faith you have. Look back at

verse 12 again. That phrase for when He is tried. Literally, when He is approved after testing,

that's the whole idea. Beloved, can you perceive that in your life? Look, when tests and troubles and

trials come, when there is a death or when there is loneliness or a loss or problems, whatever they

might be, can you see that through that? God is testing the validity of your faith. He is making

...