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.