Rethinking Religion - Rethinking Trials, Tests, and Temptations - February 18, 2024

Genesis 22:1-18 This Lent we are examining some of the assumptions we might be guilty of making when it comes to religion, even our own. “If God loves us, why doesn’t he remove all the trials and tests and temptations that we face?” That question demonstrates the religious assumption that those things are bad. The truth is, they’re not. In the hands of a loving God, they are tools by which he refines our faith. He uses tests as a way to compel us to be less self-reliant, and instead trust in his strength. He uses trials to teach us that this broken world is not our true home. God even takes Satan’s temptations and uses them for our good! Trials, tests, and temptations are not exceptions to God’s love. That’s a false assumption! Instead, they are examples of God’s love! Proof is that God allowed his beloved Son, Jesus, to face trials and temptations so that he might be our perfect Savior and substitute.