Yes, believers still face trials because faith does not remove them from the world's pressures or promise a rose-petaled pathway.
According to Les Feldick, becoming a Christian doesn't guarantee a life free of difficulties; instead, believers can expect the same trials as the world, but with the stabilizing power of God to see them through. These trials serve to test faith, produce patience, and ultimately work for good, while God promises to never leave believers amid their struggles.
Romans 5:3-4 — Paul directly states that tribulation works patience, showing trials have a purpose in the believer's life.
Romans 8:35 — This verse lists tribulation and persecution as things that cannot separate believers from God's love, confirming believers will face them.
The Bible acknowledges that believers will face tribulation. Romans 8:35 lists tribulation, distress, and persecution as things believers may encounter, though it clarifies that nothing can separate them from God's love. Similarly, Romans 5:3-4 teaches that tribulation produces patience, implying trials are a normal part of the Christian life with a positive outcome. The Bible does not promise an easy path; instead, it assures believers of God's presence and purpose through difficulties.
Les Feldick teaches that believers should never expect a rose-petaled pathway after conversion; that would be false teaching. He compares the Christian life to paddling a canoe upstream, a constant battle against Satan and the world, but with the assurance that God will see believers through. Trials test our mettle, proving our love for God, and can bring about good according to His purpose. Even when tribulations come, believers can rest in the security of Christ's work on the cross and God's unfailing presence.
No. Les Feldick explicitly warns against any teaching that promises a rose-petaled pathway for Christians, stating that believers will have just as many trials and testings as the world. The only difference is that believers have a stabilizing power to see them through.
Les indicates that God may bring tough things into our lives for His own purpose, to bring us to the place He wants us to be. Trials also test our mettle, exposing whether we become bitter or draw closer to God. Tribulation works patience, as mentioned in the transcript clips.
No. Les teaches that tribulation or persecution cannot force a believer out of their place in the body of Christ because they are secure through the work of the cross, not by their own merit. Even if persecution touches the flesh, God's love remains.
Believers should rest on God's promises and the fact that He is for us, regardless of what comes. Even if the world becomes hostile, believers can have peace with God through the work of the cross and trust that God will bring them through.
Peace with God
Les explains that believers can have perfect peace with God through the cross, which provides assurance even amid life's troubles.
Testing and Tribulation Purposes
Les teaches that God brings times of testing to prove our love for Him, and that true believers will find God more precious during hard times.
Can Anything Separate You from God's Love? Romans 8:33-39
Behold the devil shall cast some of you into prison for their faith, that you may be tried or tested, and you shall have, and here's the word again, tribulation. Ten days. And I think the tribulation in ten days was spoken of ten distinct periods of time during the Roman Empire when the church came under horrible pressure. But these believers didn't give up.
God's Purpose in Trials
Les says God may bring tough experiences into our lives for His purpose, and all things work together for good to those who love God.
Security in Christ
Les emphasizes that tribulation or persecution cannot separate believers from God because they are secure through Christ's work, not their own efforts.
No Rose-Petaled Pathway
Les refutes the idea that becoming a Christian leads to an easy life, comparing it to paddling a canoe upstream and noting God's encouragement in trials.
Genuine Trials for Believers
Les stresses that believers face just as many trials as the world, but have a stabilizing power to see them through.
God Is For Us
Les teaches that even in persecution, believers can rest in the fact that God is for us, and physical harm is not the ultimate concern.
Romans 8:35: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Lists tribulations believers may face, showing they are part of the Christian experience.
Romans 5:3-4: And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
Shows that tribulation has a purpose in producing patience and hope.
No, Les Feldick teaches that believers will face just as many trials as the world, and the Christian life is like paddling a canoe upstream. There is no rose-petaled pathway promised in Scripture.
According to Les, God allows trials to test our mettle, to prove our love for Him, and to bring us to the place He wants us to be. All things work together for good to those who love God.
No, Les teaches that because of the work of the cross, believers are secure, and nothing—including tribulation or persecution—can separate them from God's love.
Watch the Teaching: Romans 5:1-2 Explained — Peace With God Through Faith Alone