Faith Tested by Fire
1 Peter 1:6-7 “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
For a little while and if necessary. These are words worth noticing in this passage. We as followers of the Lord will have our faith tested for its genuineness. These tests can grieve us and cause us dismay that we are being tested and challenged. In the early church, the followers of the Lord were being reviled, persecuted, and martyred. Today we may face similar or other trials depending on where we live in the world. If you are able to recognize that you are in a trial, hold fast to your faith. If you feel that you might falter, pray. Think on His words “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” 2 Corinthians 12:9".
His grace is sufficient to support us through these various trials. May we come out on the other side of these trials having held fast to our faith in the Lord Jesus. May we be able to bring Him praise and glory at the revelation through our Christlike living.
Never forget that through all these trials we are always being observed by our secular peers, by fellow followers of the Lord, by spiritual beings, and by the Lord Himself. Spiritual beings will give a report of our behavior before the Lord (Matthew 18). Our secular peers will take note of our actions and words through all these difficult times. If our peers see the fruits of the Spirit in us through hardships, they may wonder what makes us different and why do we hold fast to our faith. For certainly they will not understand why we believe and love someone we have not seen, but if they can see Christlikeness in us, then we can be a light in the darkness to them. We can share the Good News with them and explain who it is that we love and in whom we place our faith for our salvation.
1 Peter 1:8-9 “ Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”