THE THREE TESTS OF LOYALTY PART - 3

THE THREE TESTS OF LOYALTY PART -3.

Scripture : Malachi 3:3.

Topic : The three tests of Loyalty Part -3. 

For anything to be trusted it must be tested, for anyone to be trusted they must also be subjected to a series of tests. In this series of our quiet time we will examine the three tests of loyalty, we will learn that taking things at face value is dangerous and therefore there are tests we must employ before we can trust anything or anyone. 


3. The Test of Fire
Fire represents all kinds of pressures that will be brought to bear against you. These pressures could be in the form of a financial test. When you work in an organisation, a transfer or an instruction you do not like could be another test. Fire could be spiritual, social, marital or financial! I want to challenge every leader not to be afraid of the fires that God will allow you to go through. It is those who come out of the fire unscathed who are most valuable to God. Marital difficulties, financial difficulties, hurts and offences should not make you disloyal to your God. Fire purges unwanted elements from our lives. God refines us
through these experiences.

"And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness."
Malachi 3:3

God often puts the heat on His servants in order to bring the best out of them. When you have passed through the tests, you will shine and you will become more attractive. Do you want more people to be attracted to your ministry? Then pass the tests of fire that come your way!

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience."
James 1:2,3

On many occasions, I have been subjected to various tests. I have been subjected to tests from disloyal friends and pastors. I have suffered mistreatment from authorities in high places. I have been through many journeys for the Lord. I have had several near death experiences in cars and planes. I have experienced deep hurts from various unexpected sources. I am not the only one who has been tested in the ministry. God allows all Christians to be offended. He will then observe whether you will obey His Word or not. Will you forgive the one who has offended you? When you walk in forgiveness, you attract God’s mercy. Blessed are
the merciful because they shall receive God’s mercy. If you fail the test of hurts and offences, you exclude yourself from the mercy of God. When bitterness is in your spirit, you will no longer receive from God and He no longer answers your prayers. Many years ago, a minister said something which I took seriously.
He said, “It is important to always maintain a sweet spirit!” We must learn to live without bitterness. When you go through the fire of financial difficulties, please do not succumb to the pressure. Do not become a murmurer. Do not become a complainer and do not become a thief! When you come under pressure in your marriage, please do not give up. Do not separate or divorce. Fight to achieve happiness. The world is full of people with failed marriages. Everyone is looking for someone who has been able to stay faithful in spite of the tests. The tests of marriage come to everyone. To survive, you need determination and a whole lot of faith. Be a survivor! I see you making it!

What Have You Survived?
Someone asked me: “What have you been through? What have you survived? What have you suffered?” You see, the things a person has survived speak volumes about him. The credentials of survived tests are greater than the credentials of any educational institution. When Paul wanted to show who he really was, he told the people what he had been through! He told them what he had survived. He showed them what he had suffered. The tests you pass tell a story about who you really are. Notice how Paul used a long list of
experiences he had survived to show that he was a legitimate minister.


"ARE THEY MINISTERS OF CHRIST? (I speak as a fool) I AM MORE; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in PRISONS more frequent, in DEATHS oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty STRIPES save one. Thrice was I BEATEN with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered SHIPWRECK, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In JOURNEYINGS often, in perils of waters, in perils of ROBBERS, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In WEARINESS and PAINFULNESS, in WATCHINGS often, in hunger and thirst, in FASTINGS often, in cold and NAKEDNESS. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended and I burn not?"

2 Corinthians 11:23-29 


Credits: Excerpt From
How to Test Loyalty.
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills.
                                            

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