Nuggets from "An Urgent Call to a Serious Faith" by Dave Hunt - The Trial of Faith

Nuggets from “An Urgent Call to a Serious Faith” by Dave Hunt – The Trial of Faith

The fact that the Christian life is supernatural does not guarantee the “financial success” promised by today’s false prophets – nor that we will be free of trouble, sorrow, or pain. Positive confession leaders forget that it was from prison that Paul wrote, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians:4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
See All...); and in the same context he declared, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content” (verse 11).

The Christian life is too glorious to be easy. It must involve trials and testings. This was true of Christ Himself as well as of the apostles and early church. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation” (John:16:33These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
See All...); “The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (15:20).

Avoiding this uncomfortable truth, a “user-friendly gospel” is preached by thousands of pastors. Megachurches are created by offering an appealing “Christianity” that is guaranteed to bring success and popularity with the world, but which would not be recognized by Paul or the other apostles as the Christian life they knew. Celebrities popular with the world are paid to enter today’s pulpits to endorse Christ; thereby they entice multitudes into a false Christianity. Once upon a time the Christian’s heroes were missionaries and martyrs. Not today. Believers and the world now share the same role models. Today’s successful church offers a Christianity guaranteed to be comfortable and which provides numerous services, from 12-step programs to psychological counseling, to escape every possible trial.

The faith by which the Christian life is to be lived and which is described as “more precious than gold” must be tested by temptations, trials, and difficulties. Why? So that when the faith by which the just live comes though the fire of adversity it will “be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter:1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
See All...). Of Christ, who left us “an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Peter:2:21For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
See All...), it was said, “”who for the joy set before him endured the cross…” (Hebrews:12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
See All...). We are able to endure earthly trials because our hope lies beyond this brief life: “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians:4:17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
See All...).