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'Christ in You...'

    by Dale Krebbs

Trials
Date Posted: February 18, 2018

It seems that this three-letter word is becoming a universal, world-wide reality. Is this true, or simply the illusion created by the media?

Do you feel that the pressure and complexities of your life are growing steadily without any major change in your personal circumstances? If we could examine the totality of events that affect everyday living, most would feel that the whole world is beginning to be a very dangerous place for humanity. And more especially for Christian believers in many parts of the world.

Most are so preoccupied with “making ends meet” that what is going on in the world passes us by. Life can be difficult enough without following event on the other side of our world that somehow we miss - at least miss the significance of those events.

For some in the world, their world is falling apart. For some, it is threatening. For others it is dangerous beyond the comprehension of many. A friend and I commented to each other a saying often used to express getting older: “time flies”!. This is caused perhaps by just getting older. However, statistically the world is shrinking due to rapid transportation, and ever-more-complicated methods of communication. It has become a world of gadgets.

All of this - and much more - tends to preoccupy and distract us from eternal things in life. The conditions just mentioned above will change. Many may fade away. Some will seem to remain, clinging to our lives without our consent.

The world - mine and yours - is shrinking. Events on the other side of the planet can end up changing our lives without our consent.

However, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, changes that seem frightening need not affect us and the eternal promises and hope we have in Him. Regardless of horrors the Bible says will come on the world, we have an unchangeable assurance.

He is coming back - for you and me. Yes, we have trials and suffering in a world utterly opposite to much of our life. And this is sometimes frightening and threatening. Those who run the world have hope for only the present. We have a hope that is everlasting. Regardless of life events or circumstances, we have a hope guaranteed by Christ that is not of this world. The trials of this life are not worthy to be compared with the joys to come:

“Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.” - James 1:2-4


Christian, wait. Endure. Your reward will be so great, it is not worthy to be compared!

“And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory. For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us! For [even the whole] creation [all nature] waits eagerly for the children of God to be revealed.” - Romans 8:17-19

Until then...

“Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.” - James 1:2-4

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Biography Information:
Dale Krebbs served as an Elder, preaching, counseling, and conducting Bible studies for over 25 years in Texas, California, and Arizona. He is now retired, lives in Arizona, and continues the study and research of Gods Word.
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