James 1:3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ESV

How do you know a thing to be true? You test it. Testing has become a standard for us throughout our society. We test water purity to determine if toxins or pollutants are present. We test blood samples for white cell count, bacteria, viruses, cholesterol, blood sugar, and hundreds of other things which affect our health. Think about that testing as proof of condition, a state of being, a quality control. That testing changes nothing but only reports the evidence of what is revealed.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Now the testing of faith results in a change, as stated in James 1:3, produces something, in this case steadfastness. That may not sound significant, but it is very important. Recently I reported the testimony of my Emmaus Pilgrims in that they were just “playing at church”. Another term used often is pew potatoes. These were Christians who had not tested their faith.

Thanks be to God that is no longer the case. They are taking their faith out on test drives to see what it will do. I commend them for that. I cannot test their faith, they must do it for themselves because the test results are given within them in the form of change.

Revelations 2:19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

The last to be more than the first is an indication of production.

Take your faith out for a test drive and put the pedal to the metal and see what she will do.

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Genesis 5:24 And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

How do you get to Hebrews 11:5 from Genesis 5:24?

Old Testament faith mean fidelity. It is not even mentioned until after the law was given. Enoch lived before the flood. How is it that the writer of Hebrews can tie a New Testament understanding of faith which comes from hearing the Word to a man who lived before the Word was written?

Genesis 5:22 … Enoch walked with God … three hundred years…

Fidelity was established, three hundred years was a mighty long time. But what of faith that is by hearing since the Words were not written?

Note here one vast difference of Enoch and many other great biblical characters. All the others were described in one fashion or another as “God is with him” or “the spirit rested upon him”. It was God who initiated contact to establish His glory, His will and to demonstrate His power, justice and mercy.

With Enoch there was none of that. Nothing is said except one thing, Enoch walked with God. The only purpose shown was a personal relationship into which no one got a glimpse or a hint of what happened between Enoch and God. A personal relationship for the sole purpose of the relationship.

Faith is given to us for that one purpose, establishment of relationship and a personal walk with God.

Do you have faith?

Get personal.