The Trial of Your Faith 1 Peter 1:7

Peter the apostle told the Christians who were “scattered abroad” that even though they had the promise of “and inheritance incorruptible, undefiled and that fades not away”, they would be “in heaviness through manifold temptations” or trials. In chapter one and verse seven of his letter, Peter encourages the Christians by sharing the benefit of the “trial of” their “faith” where we read:

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

The verse begins, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire,...” Peter began with the phrase, “That the trial” or “proving, trying or testing” “of your faith” or “the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ”, “being much” or “many or largely” “more precious” which means “of great price, held in honor, esteemed and especially dear” “than of gold” or “precious metal which has been smelted and wrought” “that perishes” which means “destroyed, put out of the way entirely, abolished, put to an end, ruined or rendered useless” “though it be tried” which means “examined, proved, scrutinized, approved and deemed worthy” “with fire” or “fiery like lightning”. The reason for the “manifold temptations” was so the Christians' “faith” would be proved and tried.

The verse goes on to say, “...might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” Peter added, “might be found” which means “come or hit upon, met with, found by inquiry, thought, examination, scrutiny, observation, practice and experience” “unto praise” or “approbation and commendation” “and honor” which means “valuing by which the price is fixed, deference and reverence” “and glory” or “opinion, judgment, view, estimate, splendor, brightness, magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace and majesty” “at the appearing” which refers to “laying bare, disclosing or manifesting” “of Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” “Christ” which means “the anointed One” and “the messiah”. When their “faith” was “tried” it would lead to three “praise, honor and glory” which Jesus Christ comes again.

When we think through Peter's words, we begin to understand the reason our “faith” is “tested and proved”. Our “faith” is more valuable than the precious metal of gold, and when it goes through the “testing fires” called “trials”, it grows more and more pure before the Lord Jesus. Eventually our “faith” and “trust” in Jesus Christ will be adoration to Him, and He certainly deserves “praise, honor and glory”. May we evermore realize when our “faith is tested”, our circumstances and the Lord are purifying it so we may return it unto Him as worship.

Next time Peter shares about rejoicing “with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.