Word of Encouragement (9/14/2021)

Let us finish our reflection on Peter’s prayer in 1 Pet. 1:3-5: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Yesterday, we talked about how God’s power guards us through faith by nurturing our faith through His Word. Today, let’s talk about another way, which Peter mentions in the following verses: by testing (or, proving) the genuineness of our faith (vv. 6-9).

Peter tells us that God finds it necessary at times to test the genuineness of our faith (v. 7). This test comes through various trials, which can cause much grief and distress (v. 6). The testing of our faith takes this form because of the particular nature of the Christian faith. As we saw in vv. 3-5, the object of our faith is heavenly in nature. We have a new birth, which makes us exiles in our very own hometown. Our hope is a living hope, whose anchor lies beyond the grave in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our inheritance is a heavenly inheritance, which is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven. The various trials in this world are designed to sharpen and strengthen this heavenly focus of our faith. The manifold trials are designed to wean us from the world, to help us shed all our lingering affections for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life.  

So, Paul likens the testing of our faith to testing of gold by fire. Actually, what is primarily in view here is the testing of gold, not the refining of gold, by fire—although, of course, the burning process inevitably burns away whatever impurities that cannot take the heat and thus refines the gold. In the ancient world, the purity of gold was tested by putting it through fire and melting it. And the various trials we face in this world are designed to prove the genuineness of our faith (even as they refine our faith to a greater purity).  

When the people of the world willingly endure the fiery testing of their character, they do so for the cultivation of stronger character and discipline, which they hope will lead them to greater success and influence in this life, to a better life in this world. Not so with the testing of our faith. We do not deny the side benefits of the strengthening and purifying of our faith as it produces a godly character in us. However, they are side-benefits, secondary in importance; they cannot be our goal. The ultimate goal is that the genuineness of our faith may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ, at His Second Coming (v. 7)!  

To whose praise, glory, and honor? Who should receive all praise, glory, and honor at the consummation of our salvation but God our gracious Redeemer? And indeed, all shall bow down and praise Him for His wonderful salvation! But amazingly, here, Peter is talking about the praise, glory, and honor that will be bestowed on us when the genuineness of our faith is proven: “...obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (v. 9; cf. Rom. 2:9-10; also, Jesus’ promises to the seven churches in Rev. 2-3)! If so, can we not rejoice even when we are distressed by various trials in this life, knowing that, if we persevere in faith, God will gladly grant us praise and glory and honor? Not that there is any genuine value in our faith itself, but only as it is anchored in the perfect righteousness of Christ.

Brothers and sisters, let’s remember that our ultimate reward comes at the Second Coming of Christ, not in this world! We do not believe in Christ, we do not follow Him, we do not hope in God, and we do not persevere through all the various trials of life for the betterment of our life in this world, do we? God does bless us with both spiritual and material blessings throughout our journey to our heavenly home. But the fact remains: this world is not our home. After all, God’s goal of granting us faith, growing it, and testing the genuineness of it through various trials is to preserve us until the last day so that we may obtain our eternal inheritance in heaven.

Are you going through trials and tribulations now? What kind? How intense? How do you view them? Just as a nuisance? Just as a problem to get rid of? Can you see them as a refining and testing fire of God, there to demonstrate the purity of your faith and rejoice that God will grant you praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus?

‍