In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:6-9)
Peter says it is possible for these believers to have both great joy
and grief in the midst of their trials. Paul said about his trials in 2
Corinthians 6:10: “Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making
many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything”
These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (emphasis mine).
1 Peter 1:7
No doubt there have been many miners who found something that looked like gold. It was beautiful, but when they put it into fire, they found out it wasn’t. It melted at a lower temperature. It was not as strong or valuable. Genuine gold will last at high temperatures.
That is similar to genuine faith. However, genuine faith lasts forever, and faith that ultimately falls away from God in the midst of trials is spurious. It is false faith. A lot of times we don’t talk about false faith in church, but it is a reality. In fact, James talks about a faith without works, as “demonic faith.” He says even the demons believe and shudder (James 2:19).
How can we have joy in the midst of trials?
Focus on the benefits of our great salvation—our new birth, our inheritance, and our security.
Focus on eternity; trials are brief in comparison to eternity.
Focus on God’s sovereignty and purpose in trials. The trial was not an accident it was necessary for your growth and maturation in Christ.
Focus on your faith; trials prove the genuineness of our faith.
Focus on the eternal glory; faithfulness in trials will be rewarded.
Focus on our relationship with Christ; trials can bring deep intimacy with Christ.
These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed (emphasis mine).
1 Peter 1:7
No doubt there have been many miners who found something that looked like gold. It was beautiful, but when they put it into fire, they found out it wasn’t. It melted at a lower temperature. It was not as strong or valuable. Genuine gold will last at high temperatures.
That is similar to genuine faith. However, genuine faith lasts forever, and faith that ultimately falls away from God in the midst of trials is spurious. It is false faith. A lot of times we don’t talk about false faith in church, but it is a reality. In fact, James talks about a faith without works, as “demonic faith.” He says even the demons believe and shudder (James 2:19).
How can we have joy in the midst of trials?
Focus on the benefits of our great salvation—our new birth, our inheritance, and our security.
Focus on eternity; trials are brief in comparison to eternity.
Focus on God’s sovereignty and purpose in trials. The trial was not an accident it was necessary for your growth and maturation in Christ.
Focus on your faith; trials prove the genuineness of our faith.
Focus on the eternal glory; faithfulness in trials will be rewarded.
Focus on our relationship with Christ; trials can bring deep intimacy with Christ.
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