2025-02-16 The testing of faith 信心的试验

(James雅 1:1-4)

At the beginning of the year, 今年年初，after spending a few days seeking God and asking what He wanted to speak to us. 我花了几天寻求神，求问祂想对我们说什么？The book of James came to my heart. 雅各书就浮现在我心中。Why James not another book? 为什么是雅各书而不是其他书？What is God’s heart for us in this book? 神在这本书中对我们的心意是什么？Today, we’re going to briefly look at the background of the book before diving into the testing of faith. 今天，在深入探讨信心的试验之前，我们来简要了解一下这本书的背景。Let’s begin by reading, 让我们先读，James 雅 1:2-4, says, Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 2 我的弟兄们，你们落在百般试炼中，都要以为大喜乐；because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 3 因为知道你们的信心经过试验，就生忍耐。Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 4 但忍耐也当成功，使你们成全完备，毫无缺欠。

Who wrote the book? 是谁写了这本书？From v.1, we clearly see that James, the half-brother of Jesus, was the author. 从第1节，我们清楚地看到，耶稣的同母异父兄弟雅各，是本书作者。When was it written? 这本书是什么时候写的？Likely around A.D. 45–48, 可能是在公元45-48年左右，before the Jerusalem Council (Act 15) in A.D. 49,在公元49年的耶路撒冷会议（使徒行传15章）之前，making it one of the earliest of the NT books.使其成为新约书中最早的一本之一。Why is James important? 为什么雅各书很重要？James is kind of like the Proverbs of the NT—雅各书有点像新约的箴言——it’s all about practical faith and holy living. 它讲述的是信心的实操和过圣洁的生活。It doesn’t just talk about faith 它不仅谈论信心，but calls us to put it into action, 还呼召我们带出行动，following in Jesus’ footsteps.跟随耶稣的脚步。Without that, faith is dead.信心没有行动是死的。(James 雅2:17). What’s the Big Idea? 这本书的主要思想是什么？James, calling himself a servant of God, 雅各称自己为神的仆人，emphasises that true faith leads to real action—强调真正的信心会带出实际的行动——it endures trials, 它忍受试炼，seeks wisdom, 寻求智慧，controls speech, 约束言语，rejects sin, 拒绝罪恶，cares for the needy, 关心有需要的人，and treats all people equally. 并平等对待所有人。He challenges believers to live out their faith with mercy, 他挑战信徒以怜悯他人活出信，knowing we all stumble 知道我们在许多事上都有过失(James雅 3:2). Faith should never coexist with indifference or injustice. 信心不当与冷漠或不公正共存。Today, we’re looking at the testing of faith in v.2-4. 今天，我们来看第2-4节中的信心试验。

1, The purpose of the testing of faith 信心试验的目的

How do you feel when you hear the words “testing of faith”? 当你听到“信心的试验”这几个字时，你有什么感觉？Wow—testing! That sounds scary! 哇——考试！很可怕！I remember a Chinese pastor from the US visited us 我记得一位美国的华人牧师拜访了我们，after I had been a believer.在我刚信主后。We prayed together, 我们一起祷告，and I prayed, 我祷告说：“Lord, test me and refine my faith!” “主啊，试验我，炼净我的信心！”The pastor looked very concerned and said, 牧师就非常着急，说：“Don’t pray like that, bad things will happen. “别这样祷告, 坏事会发生的。You should ask God to bless you instead.”你应该求神祝福你。” How would you have reacted if you were there? 你若在，会怎么反应？However, in verse 2, 然而在第二节James connects pure joy with trials,雅各把大喜乐和试炼连在一起，revealing the truth that without overcoming trials, 显明一个真理，you cannot experience pure joy.就是不在试炼中得胜，你不可能有大喜乐。James 雅2:5 tells us, God desires His people to be rich in faith, 神希望祂的子民在信心上富足，not in temporary things, 而不是在暂时的事物上，so they may inherit His Kingdom.叫他们可以继承祂的国。Jesus wants to share the glory and authority of His Kingdom with us.主耶稣愿我们可以与祂同享国度的荣耀和权柄。But only those who are rich in faith can inherit what He has for them. 但只有那些在信心上富足的才能得着祂所有的。Gal加 4:1 says,我说那承受产业的，虽然是全业的主人，但为孩童的时候，却与奴仆毫无分别， This is true, 这是真的，when we’re children, 当我们是孩子时，how do we react to injustice? 我们如何对待不公平的事？ We cry, 我们哭着喊：“it’s unfair! “不公平！My brother hit me”.哥哥打我。” But the reality is that you were the one who grabbed the book he was reading first. 但事实是你先抢了他正在读的书。Children have a self-centred mindset, 孩子们有自我中心的心态，and are often bound by fear, 常常被惧怕、comparison, 比较、jealousy, 嫉妒、or other struggles. 或其他罪所束缚。 They’re unable to reflect the Father’s character in love and justice. 他们无法在爱和公义中反映父的品格。 But here’s the thing—但事实是——this isn’t something to be ashamed of. 这不是羞愧的事。We all grow from childhood to adulthood. 我们都从童年成长到成年。Spiritual growth also requires this process. 灵命成长也需要这个过程。 James 雅 1:3 says, 说：'The testing of your faith develops perseverance.'  “因为知道你们的信心经过试验，就生忍耐。” So why does perseverance matter? 那么为什么忍耐很重要？coz it is God’s character, 因这是神的品格 V.4 says, 第4节说if perseverance finishes its work 忍耐若成功了，you may become maturity in Christ.你们就可以在基督里成熟。 Therefore, the purpose of testing is to help us grow in spiritual maturity, 因此，试验的目的是帮助我们在灵命上成长， deepen our relationship with God, 加深我们与神的关系， and become rich in faith.并在信心上富足起来。

The Bible is full of stories of believers whose faith was tested. 圣经里有很多信心被试验的故事。 Abraham waited 25 years for God's promise of a son. 亚伯拉罕等了25年，才得到神应许的儿子。 Then, when God asked him to sacrifice his son, 然后，当神要求他献上儿子时，he didn’t say, it!” 他没有说：“What? “什么？You gave me a son, and now You want to take him away? 你给了我一个儿子，现在你又要把他带走？I won’t do那不行！” No—Abraham trusted that God could raise the dead 不——亚伯拉罕相信神能使死人复活(Heb 来11:19)。He entrusted his son to God and saw God’s provision. 他把儿子交托给神，就看到了神的供应。 What if God gave you a million dollars 如果神给你一百万美元，and then asked you to give it away? 然后要求你把它捐出去，你会怎么做？ “Oh no! I want to keep it!” “哦不！我想留着！” So if we can’t trust God with material things, 但如果我们不能在物质上信靠神，how can we trust Him with what truly matters—our very lives? 我们如何在真正重要的事情上——我们的生命——信靠祂？

So challenges serve a purpose. 环境遇难处是有目的的。 They allow us to experience the glorious reality of God! 它们让我们经历神荣耀的真实！ Many others in the Bible—圣经中的许多人——Joseph, 约瑟、David, 大卫、Daniel and his three friends, 但以理和他的三个朋友、Job, 约伯、the prophets, and the apostles—先知和使徒——also had their faith tested. 他们的信心都被试验。 Through real-life struggles, 藉着现实生活中的难处，they surrendered their own desires to God’s promises, 他们将自己的愿望降服于神的应许、timing, 时间，and sovereignty, 和主权，becoming faithful witnesses. 成为主忠实的见证人。 What about us? 我们呢？ When challenges come,当你遇难处，will we see them as a test of our faith?你会视它为你信心的考试吗？Or will we react with anger and discouragement, 还是会愤怒，灰心 ，blaming people or circumstances怪人，怪环境， and miss the opportunities God is giving us?错失成长的机会？

2, Testing of our faith reveals what really hides in us – 信心的试验揭露我们内心真正隐藏的

Going through a test of faith, 经过信心考试，the first step isn’t growth—第一步不是成长——it’s revealing what we truly trust in.而是揭示我们真正信靠的是什么。 This is a necessary but painful process, 这是一个必要但痛苦的过程，coz our sinful nature is deceitful 因为带罪的旧人是诡诈的 (Jer 耶17:9). We must acknowledge this, 我们必须承认这一点，learn not to follow our own hearts, 学习不随从己心，but instead listen to God’s word. 而是听从神的话。 We see this in the life of the apostle Peter. 我们在使徒彼得的生命中看到了这一点。 On the night before Jesus was crucified, 在耶稣被钉十字架的前夜， Peter boldly declared, 彼得大胆宣告： “Even if all fall away, I will not!” “众人虽然跌倒，我总不能。”(Mark 可 14:29). He truly believed he would remain faithful, even under trial. 他真的信自己哪怕在试验中，也会忠贞于主。But Jesus knew what was hidden in his heart, 但耶稣知道他心里隐藏的，so the Lord told him, 所以主告诉他：“Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” “就在今天夜里，鸡叫两遍以先，你要三次不认我。” (Mark 可14:30). When the moment of testing came, 当试验的时刻来临时，fear took over. 惧怕胜过了他。 Peter denied Jesus three times, 彼得三次不认主，just as Jesus had said. 正如主耶稣所说。This was a painful revelation—这是一个痛苦的启示——Peter realised he wasn’t as strong as he thought. 彼得意识到他并不像自己想的那么强。He wept bitterly.他痛哭了 (Luke 路22:62)。How many of us experienced this just as Peter did? 我们中有多少人像彼得一样经历了这事？

But Jesus didn’t leave Peter in his failure. 但耶稣没有让彼得留在他的失败中。After His resurrection, 在祂复活后，Jesus restored him, 耶稣恢复了他，asking three times, “Do you love me?”三次问他：“你爱我吗？” (John约 21:15-17). The first two times, 前两次，Jesus used the Greek word agape 耶稣使用了希腊词agape. which means God’s unconditional love意思是神无条件的爱。But three times, “Peter responded, 但彼得三次回应：“Yes, Lord, you know I love you,” 是的，主啊，你知道我爱你，”using the Greek word phileo, which refers to brotherly love.使用了希腊词phileo，指的是兄弟之爱。But later, 但后来，Peter came to understand why Jesus asked him this question, 彼得明白了为什么耶稣问他这个问题，and what it meant to love God with agape love. 以及用agape的爱爱神的意义。In 1 Peter彼前 4:1-2: Peter wrote this, 彼得写道： "Since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God." “基督既在肉身受苦，你们也当将这样的心志作为兵器，因为在肉身受苦的，就已经与罪断绝了。你们存这样的心，从今以后，就可以不从人的情欲，只从神的旨意，在世度余下的光阴。” Peter understood that Christ suffered—not for His own sins, 彼得明白基督受苦——不是因为他自己的罪，for He was without sin, 因为他是无罪的， but so that the Father's will would be done in His earthly life.而是为了父的旨意在他身上得以成就。Likewise,同样，if we want God's will to be done in our lives,如果我们要神的旨意在我们身上成就，we must first recognise our own desires and wills我们必须首先认出自己的私欲和意愿 and be willing to let them suffer并愿意让它们受苦, to trust in God’s plan for us.去信靠神给我们的计划。Peter once relied on his own judgement,彼得曾信他自己的判断， and he failed.他失败了。Pride and self-seeking desires may bring momentary pleasure, 骄傲和追求自我欲望满足可能带来短暂的快乐，but they lead to bitterness—bitter tears! 但它们会导致痛苦——痛苦的眼泪！To grow in faith,要在信心上成长，we must allow God to expose our inner reality 我们必须要让神来揭露我们内在的真实– what we truly trust in.什么是我们真正依赖的。Then, we surrender our fear, 然后，将惧怕，shame,羞耻感and need for control to Him, 和去抓的欲望全然交托，aligning our attitude and actions with His will.让我们的心态和行为和祂的旨意合一。Peter’s journey of faith shows that, 彼得的信心旅程显明，though painful, 虽然痛，this process leads to true freedom and joy in Christ 这过程引导我们进入基督的自由和喜乐，and the ability to serve God powerfully and faithfully使我们带着能力去忠心地服侍神.

3, Recognizing the testing of your faith.  认识到信心的试验。

“But if a challenge comes, 但如果环境来到，and I don’t recognise it as a test; 我认不出那是考试；if I just focus on getting the job done or the problem sorted, 若我只专注于作事或解决问题，I will miss what God is trying to teach me,我会错过神要对我说的，and my relationship with Him won’t grow.我与祂的关系也不会成长。” In the book of Ruth, 在路得记中，Ruth "happened" to meet Boaz, 路得“碰巧”遇到了波阿斯，God’s name wasn’t mentioned, 神的名字没有被提及，but it was a divine arrangement—但这是神的安排——because God is always in control!因为神总是掌管万事！Nothing happens outside His sovereignty. 没有任何事情是神掌管以外的。 We must believe 我们当相信，that if something happens, 如果任何事情发生，God has a message for us to discern. 需要明白那是神要对我们说话。 When we acknowledge the testing of our faith, 当我们认出是信心的考试时，we learn how to pray and respond rightly to God, 我们学习如何祷告并正确回应神and then will see His will be done. 就会看到祂的旨意成就。 That’s why recognising testing of our faith is crucial. 这就是为什么认出信心考试至关重要。 Jesus set the example耶稣树立了榜样，before facing temptation 在面对试探之前，He was led by the Spirit into the desert 祂被圣灵引导到旷野。(Luke 路4:1). This wasn’t just temptation but a test of faith, initiated by God. 这不仅是试探，而是由神发起的信心考试。 Testing reveals what we truly trust in. 这考试会揭示我们真正在信靠什么。If we hold onto God’s promises, 如果我们坚信神的应许、timing, and sovereignty—时间和祂掌权——denying the negative pull of self—否定自我的负面拉扯——we will overcome.我们就会得胜。 How do we recognise the testing of our faith? 我们如何认出是信心考试？ When challenges arise, 当难处发生，we must go to the Lord, pray, 我们必须去到主面前，祷告，and allow the Spirit to help us trace back—who is the initiator? 并让圣灵帮助我们追溯——谁是发起者？ Is it God or ourselves? 是神还是我们自己？ If the initiator is God, 如果发起者是神，we need to seek God earnestly 我们需要诚心寻求神，and not yield to fear, or any other negative feelings. 不屈服于惧怕或其他负面情绪。 Recently, I faced a challenge. 最近，我面临了一个挑战。 As you know, 大家都知道，we had agreed to run a revival worship service with other Baptist churches, 我们同意与其他浸信会教会一起举办复兴的敬拜，but after the holidays, 但假期后the situation has changed情况改变了, making it difficult to proceed with the plan按原计划进行变的困难。So why did God allow this? 但为什么神允许这种情况发生？ As I prayed and traced back, 当我祷告并追踪，I realised that testing had come again.我意识到考试又来了。This is how God works--这就是神的作工方式—He gives a promise or a dream. 祂给出一个应许或一个梦，He gave Joseph a dream,祂赐约瑟一个梦，and promised David that he would be king of Israel.祂应许大卫要成为以色列的王。Then challenges arise, 然后难处来了，making it difficult --even impossible. 事情变得困难—甚至看着无法实现。The same applies to the English classes—就像免费英语堂——seven years of praying, 七年的祷告、waiting, and searching 等待和寻找，before the dream became a reality.异梦才成为现实。 So, now do we give up? 那么，我们是放弃？Or do we pray even more earnestly? 还是更加恳切地祷告？The testing of our faith is not about proving ourselves to God, 信心的考试不是为了向神证明我们自己，but about revealing what we truly trust in.而是为了揭示我们真正在信靠什么，so we can align with God’s will.因此我们可以与主的旨意合一。God's promises often come with challenges, 神的应许常常伴随着环境难处，but those who persevere grow in maturity, 但那些坚忍的人会成熟、strength, 在力量and purpose.和使命感上成长。Will we give up or press on in prayer? 我们会放弃还是坚持祷告？ How many of us say, “I don’t want to give up有多少人会说：“我不想放弃。”. Even when I face challenges, I want to renew my mind即使面对难处，我也要更新我的心思意念. In the past, I saw them merely as problems to solve,过去，我只想解决的问题，rather than believing that God is in control而不是信神掌管一切， and that You have a message for me through difficulties. 祢要借着环境难处对我说话。I didn’t recognise the testing of my faith.我从前没有在环境里认出信心的考试，Today, I ask You to renew my mind with Your truth--今天，我求你更新我的思想， that testing is often hidden behind difficulties. 就是考试藏在难处里。If that’s you,若那是你， please come forward.你可以上前来， Make a move—shift your position,改变你的姿态，shift your heart from focusing on yourself to focusing on God. 改变你的心，从关注自己到注视神。Please come…请上前来……

Pray:  祷告

Yes, 是的， Lord, 主啊， You are worthy! 惟你配得！ You are worthy of it all! 你配得这一切！ All glory, 一切荣耀、power, and the Kingdom belong to You. 能力、权柄和国度都属于你。 You deserve all honour and praise! 你配得一切荣耀和颂赞！ For You created all things, 因你创造了万物， and by Your will, they exist and have their being. 万物皆因你的旨意而存在。 You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords!  你是万王之王，万主之主！Who is like You? 谁能像你？  Who can compare to You? 谁能与你相比？ The mighty and glorious King大有威严荣耀的王—yet You came down from Your throne out of love. --你却为爱从宝座上降卑。 You came to open the door of forgiveness,  你来打开宽恕之门，to bring restoration! 带来恢复！ Worthy is the Lamb who was slain! 被杀的羔羊是配得的！ For our sins, 为了我们的罪， You were sacrificed, 你被当作祭物被宰杀， yet You rose again! 却又复活！ Thank You, 感谢你， Jesus,  主耶稣，for the blood You shed for our salvation. 感谢你流出宝血救赎我们。 We praise You! 我们赞美你！

"Fear God and give Him glory!" “敬畏上帝，将荣耀归于祂！” Yes,  是的，Lord, 主啊，we need to fear You我们需要敬畏你， and revere You alone! 惟独尊崇你！ Hardships, 患难、 difficulties, 困难、and challenges are just tests of our faith挑战只是对我们信心的考验—You are in control! --你掌管一切！ Your Word says, 你的话说： “You are the Maker of all things, “你是万物的创造者， and all things serve a purpose万物都有一个目的—to help us grow --帮助我们成长， and become more like Your Son, Jesus Christ. 变得更像你的儿子耶稣基督。Now is the time to lift your heart to Him. 现在就向祂打开心门， Turn to Him,  转向祂， Take a moment to pray on your own now... 这一刻你可以向祂倾心吐意...

“Lord, “主啊， I didn’t recognise the testing of my faith in my daily life. 我在日常生活中没有认出信心的考试。 When things didn’t go my way or felt out of control, 当事情不顺心或感觉无法控制时， I turned to anxiety, 我就会变得焦虑、 worry, and fear.  担忧和惧怕。Out of fear,  出于惧怕，I immediately focused on finding solutions  我立刻专注于想办法去解决，instead of trusting in You and seeking what Your will for me was. 而不是相信你，寻求你对我的旨意。 Because of this mindset, 因着这种思维方式， I missed experiencing Your reality. 我无法经历你的真实。 My heart was burdened with worry and fear,  我的心被担忧和惧怕所缠累，and my relationships suffered from my need for control. 我的人际关系也因我的操控欲而受到影响。 Forgive me, Lord,  主啊，求你赦免我的过犯，and cleanse me with Your precious blood. 用你的宝血厚厚涂抹洁净我。 Today, I turn to You. 今天，我转向你。

Holy Spirit,  主圣灵，search my heart.  求你来触摸我心。Reveal any strongholds of unjust judgment, 显出任何让我惧怕的不公正的论断、 bitterness, or lies that have kept me in fear.  苦毒或谎言的坚固营垒。Show me if there is anyone I have not forgiven显明我是否有不饶恕的人—any foothold I have given the enemy --我给仇敌留的地步， that has weakened my faith削弱了我的信心， and kept me from fully trusting You in my circumstances.  让我在困境中无法完全相信你。Perhaps I have judged someone，  也许我曾论断过什么人，and, in doing so, have become like them.  并因此变得和他们一样。Perhaps I need to ask You, 我寻求你的帮助， Holy Spirit,  圣灵， to engrave this truth in my heart,  将这真理刻在我的心版上，so that when challenges come, 当挑战来临时， I will turn to You immediately我就会立即转向你—to seek Your will and grow in faith. --寻求你的旨意，并在信心中成长。  “Lord, I surrender. “主啊，我愿降服。 Help me to trust You more.  帮助我更多信靠你。Holy Spirit, 主圣灵， Come and set me free...” 求你来，使我得自由......”

If we want to see revival in our churches, 如果我们想看到教会复兴， it must start with us. 就必须从我们自己做起。 Revival begins with individuals复兴始于个人—our own lives being renewed in Christ. --我们自己的生命在基督里得到更新。  After praying for yourself,  在为自己祷告之后，would you now pray for God’s Kingdom to come? 你现在会为神的国度降临祷告吗？ Would you ask for clarity about the revival worship service with other Baptist churches? 你是否愿意与其他浸信会一起为复兴敬拜祷告？  Yes, Lord,  是的，主啊，we long to see Your fire fall, 我们渴望看到你复兴的火降下， just as You did for the early church. 正如你为初代教会所做的那样。 We want to see Your glory in this generation我们希望在这个世代看到你的荣耀， because You are the same yesterday, today, and forever. 因为你昨天、今天和永远都是一样的。 Your heart has never changed你的心从未改变—You desire to see the gospel of Your Son bear great fruit  --你渴望看到你儿子的福音  through the work of Your servants. 藉你仆人们的手结出丰硕的果子。 Come, Lord Jesus. 欢迎你的来临，主耶稣。 Let Your will be done!  愿你的旨意成就！

Thank You, Lord Jesus, 感谢你，主耶稣， for speaking to us today about the testing of our faith. 今天向我们讲解信心有考试。 We acknowledge that challenges are not meant to discourage us but to refine us, 我们承认，挑战不是为了让我们灰心，而是为了炼净我们，revealing what we truly trust in. 揭示我们真正所信的。  You are in control, 你掌管一切， and nothing happens outside of Your will.  没有任何事情是在你的旨意之外发生的。Holy Spirit, 主圣灵， ignite a fire in us to revere God alone! 求你点燃我心中敬畏神的火焰！ Help us respond to challenges not with fear or discouragement, 帮助我们面对挑战时不畏惧、不灰心， but with trust and perseverance. 而是坚心倚靠。 Remind us to seek You earnestly,  提醒我们恳切地寻求你，stand firm in Your promises, 在你的应许中站立， and grow rich in faith.  在信心中不断成长。May Your truth be lived out in our daily lives, 愿我们在日常生活中活出真理， bringing glory to Your name! 荣耀你的名！