Faith-Trials (Jas 1:3)



When the believer is passing through a difficulty, regardless the degree, it is never salvation that’s being tested, but faith—which manifests salvation; and the test does not determine pass or fail but is always faith-strengthening. Other than asking to receive, regeneration is never effected by anyone except God. Only He can establish and retain its power within the saint. Faith is also established by Him as a work (fruit - Gal 5:22) of His Spirit, and its strength is ever varying on the increase, unlike salvation, which admits not in degrees (neither does holiness, sanctification, righteousness nor justification).

Once given, faith can only increase (in strength), and the increments are proportionate to one’s maturity in the Lord Jesus, which too is ever growing (Eph 4:15), as the Spirit of the Father “conforms” the saved in the “knowledge” and “walk” of His Son (Ro 8:13, 29; 2Pe 3:18; 1Jo 2:6). Salvation does not derive from conformation, but the inverse; and the level of attainment in the knowledge and walk to which a believer will be brought is determined upon what the Spirit revels concerning the unceasing “work” and “care” of the Father (Phl 2:13; 1Pe 5:7).

Significant spiritual growth begins when we are shown the “irrevocability” of it all (Rom 11:29)!

The Christian life is not our living a life like Christ, or our trying to be Christ-like, nor is it Christ giving us the power to live a life like His; but it is Christ Himself living His own life through us; 'no longer I, but Christ.’” -MJS