“Tested, proven, genuine faith comes when we let God lead us into weakness. That is a reason to rejoice.”- Banning Liebscher
“These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”- 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)
Banning Liebscher concludes Chapter 5 of Rooted as he underscores God’s call to rejoice in, not just endure, weakness. We rejoice through a strength far greater than our own: Christ’s. Furthermore, Christ perfects the emotional and mental energy and strength needed to run life’s marathon. As Pastor Liebscher notes, it’s the strength to:
- get up after each stumble
- keep moving forward
- fight another day
Hence, one thing happens when Christ, our righteousness, perfects His strength in us. Although adversity may knock us down, we never stay down. Also, Banning adds, one way to embrace and receive Christ’s strength to endure involves living day by day. The author explains:
“Christ’s strength can only come to us in the present moment to meet a present need. As you experience His faithfulness to give you His strength continually, day by day, you become free to run after the things He has called you to do and embrace them as adventure.”
In conclusion, Pastor Liebscher exhorts us to reject an image of God in which He drops us unprepared into the wilderness, telling us to figure it out on our own. Rather, Banning notes, God comes with us, fully equipped for the journey. And whenever we feel alone, weak, inadequate, or unprepared for the journey ahead, it’s there we encounter God at a new depth.
Today’s question: How has God lead you to tested, proven, genuine faith? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Rooted in the soil of Scripture”
