2Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1: 2-4

Hello and welcome to God First, life lessons based on the teachings of Rev Young Hie Paik. Today we will be taking a look at… 

Our loving Father creates each situation we face in our lives to help build our faith. As we encounter each situation, these tests help us –  and those around us – to become aware of the level of our faith. In addition, these tests show us our sins,  any weaknesses we may have in our faith, or where we are incorrect or lacking in our understanding in order for us to repent and correct. Another reason is to provide each of us with a clearer understanding of what is essential for our salvation. These tests enable us to recognize our good points which we may not see because our outlook has been skewed by ridicule and messaging from the secular world. These tests of faith we face at each moment in our lives help us to see the value and the blessings we have received from our Father and not to lose sight of them. All build our endurance making our faith perfect and complete.

We must also know that these trials we face are created and sent to us from God who loves us and sends us these trials to build our skills in faith to nurture in us the right judgment and conscience to make the right decisions. We must commit to three things and never fail in order to be victorious in building our endurance. 

First, we must not sin. Jesus sacrificed himself, earning forgiveness from God, saving us from our sins. Tests will come that focus on our tendencies for sin. We must fight vehemently against them. If someone has a weakness for stealing, then they will face situations that test their commitment to not stealing. When we overcome that test and win, we build up just that much more endurance to persevere and not sin.

Second, we must lead righteous lives, inspired by the Holy Spirit. When Jesus died on the cross, he took away our sins and justified our lives positioning us to live righteous lives. When we follow the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we can hold onto this righteousness no matter what we may suffer. We must recognize that, at those times, when we face physical pain, illness, financial ruin, embarrassment, or whatever other trials we face, we cannot let our righteousness be stolen from us. If we hold onto our righteousness, we are left with greater endurance.

Third, the trials we face at each present moment test our connection with God. When we do not sin and live righteously, we become reconciled with God. We are one with God. We are connected to God. We can never betray our connection with God. 

If we hold onto these three things we will never lose in our faith: 

1. Not sinning
2. Righteousness
3. Connection with God. 

Remember that the trials we face in each of our lives are to build up our endurance to complete and perfect our faith. Even if the world thinks we are wrong and we are right with God, we win. But when we fail these trials, no matter how much the world may praise us, we lose. When we fail, we are given the trials again and again until we can persevere and pass them. When we do not betray these three and overcome these trials, what is left? It is a faith which is perfect and complete.