FROM: SUNDAY’S OPEN Q & A Hi Chris. Why does God test us?ANSWERAs we read the Bible, we do know that God is constantly testing man. Right from the very beginning of the creation mankind was tested. The setting of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil off limits was done in order to develop a testing program for the newly created creature man. Man failed the test by disobeying God and transgressing His law. This failure really set the stage for the rest of history. When the Lord would set up a people to represent His kingdom on the earth (Israel in the O.T. and the Church in the N.T.) He would also test them to see if they would obey Him or not. Both outward institutions constantly failed the tests that God designed and set up for them.Once the Lord Jesus Christ entered into the period of His ministry, one of the first things that God arranged was for Him to be tested (tempted) in the wilderness for 40 days. Christ, the second Adam passed the test by remaining faithful to the commandments of God. Christ’s passing of the test served to glorify God. And as Jesus continued to faithfully obey the Father even unto death this gave further glory and honor to God the Father.I think we can say that God tests those that identify as His people for a couple of reasons: First, to reveal those that are not truly His people. And to bring judgment on those that claim to be the people of God but fail the test---see Israel’s experience in the wilderness; or the failure of the churches and congregations of the world to hearken to God’s Word concerning the separation of the wheat and the tares and the end of the Church Age.Secondly, when any pass God’s test it serves as evidence to help confirm them as the true people (elect) of God. And the passing of the test serves to glorify God.1 Peter 4: 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.As we look back during this time of the end, we tend to think of the many that have gone back and failed various tests that each unveiling or opening up of the Scriptures has provided. And yes, many have failed one test or another. Yet, there are also those that are trusting God stage after stage throughout this end time journey. These people are showing forth increasing evidence that they are a true elect child of God. Their humility in being corrected on doctrines related to the atonement and hell, as well as faith and the attendance of churches, and so forth, reveals a humble spirit that is after God’s own Spirit. And their faithful continuance in continuing to follow the Lord (Bible) despite the many trials and testing’s they’ve encountered glorifies God in ways that words themselves fall short of.Ephesians 3: 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.