The Meaning of Testing

In his book "Santiago: Trial, Maturity and Kingdom", the Brazilian writer Delcio Meireles addresses the theme of the salvation of the soul, and the role that trials have in it. Meireles explains that salvation has three aspects, one past, one present and one future. The past, affects our spirit, which was saved in regeneration; the present, affects our soul, which is being saved; and the future, which will affect our body. The salvation of the spirit is what is known as justification, the salvation of the soul is sanctification, and the salvation of the body is redemption.

Understanding the "salvation of the soul" as a present, unfinished activity is not easy. We are accustomed to believe that our soul has already been saved by having believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. This difficulty is due, in part, to the translation of the Greek word psiqué for life in modern versions of the Bible. For example, in Matthew 16, the Lord says to the disciples -not to unbelievers- the following words: "For whosoever will save his life (soul) shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life (soul) for my sake shall find it". When the Lord speaks here about the need to "lose one's soul", He is referring to denying oneself, to the life of self.

In this context, the purpose of the trials in the life of the believer is understood. "The trial", says Meireles, "gives us the opportunity to deny ourselves, with a view to the salvation of our souls; the trial of our faith produces perseverance which, in turn, has to be constant and directed, in order to reach maturity, to be complete, without deficiency".

In other words, the character of the Lord Jesus will be formed in us, we will be molded in the same image of the firstborn Son (Rom. 8:28-30; Gal. 4:19). That is the goal that the Lord has for each of his children and his eternal purpose can only be fulfilled when this goal is reached. Everyone who cooperates with the Holy Spirit in the accomplishment of this heavenly task is considered blessed, because he endured the trial and when he "has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him" (James 1:12).

This is also clear in the experience of Job, who did not suffer because of sin, but because he needed to lose his soul at some points, as became clear during his trial. When the eyes of the Lord, like a flame of fire, penetrated into the most hidden parts of Job's soul, and his eyes were opened to see himself, he was able to say: "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eyes see thee" (Job 42:5). Thus, trials collaborate for the "salvation" of our soul.

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