The Outcome of a Genuine Faith

Thinking about 1 Peter 1:6-9.

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When I preach, I see people who are blessed to have things going well in their life - at school, at work, and in their families.

But also, I see the people who are suffering tremendously in their lives.

As Peter began his letter of 1 Peter, he reminded Christians of the eternal hope we have in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:3-5). And then his thoughts turned toward those Christians who were suffering, and he encouraged them in their faith.

Trials Reveal the Genuineness of Your Faith.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith… (1 Peter 1:6-7a)

James reminds us to rejoice when our faith is tested, knowing it produces steadfastness (James 1:2-3). Your health problems, family problems, financial troubles, the mistreatment you face at school or work - what are these “trials” revealing about your faith?

When Jesus told the Parable of the Sower (Matthew 13:1-9), he spoke of those sown on the stony ground who did not endure the trials and persecutions.

But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. (Matthew 13:20-21)

Christians can glory in tribulations, knowing what is being produced in us as we remain faithful to God (Romans 5:1-4). God does not call us to be comfortable, He calls us to endure hardships and trials to show the genuineness of our faith.

The Value of a Genuine Faith.

…that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire… (1 Peter 1:7a)

Peter connects a genuine faith with going through “firey tests” much as gold must be refined by fire.

This process involves heating the gold in a crucible to a high temperature, causing it to melt and separate from any other metals that may be present. The gold is then poured into a mold and allowed to cool, forming a solid bar. This bar is then analyzed to determine its gold purity and value - guardiangold.ca

If we endure the trials, our faith comes out on the other side of fiery trials as valuable gold (Job 23:10).

The Result of a Genuine Faith.

…may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. (1 Peter 1:7b-8a)

What does the return of Jesus mean for the faithful? Peter said later in 2 Peter 3:11-15 it means we should live godly lives devoted to the Lord, looking forward to His return.

Our sufferings in this life will not even come close to outweighing the glory that will be revealed in us when our Lord returns.

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:16-18)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

The change God will work on us will be glory for us, and in our glory, He will be glorified (1 Corinthians 15:50-57).

The Outcome of a Genuine Faith.

Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8b-9)

The outcome of genuine faith is the salvation of our souls. But why is this important in a section about faith during trials?

Well, do you remember why pain, sorrow, suffering, and death entered the world in the first place? When Adam and Eve sinned, the consequences of sin entered this world and we still suffer because of it today (Genesis 3:16-19). But God has promised that He will deliver us from sin and its consequences forever.

Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 20:14-21:4)

In the end, God sets everything right and delivers His faithful people from everything we have suffered.

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So what will you do?

Those who obey the gospel of Christ and live a life of faith, obeying and trusting in God, will be delivered and given rest. But those who refuse to obey the gospel will face the righteous judgment of God for their sins (1 Thessalonians 1:3-12).

Don’t give up in the face of suffering. What is waiting for you far outweighs what you are facing now.