Timeless

Do you know that even if you were to shade pure gold from intense sunlight, it would still shine just as brightly in the shadow?

What about your faith?

You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials 

so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

1 Peter 1:6-7 (CSB)

Who needs to see the genuineness of our faith if God already knows everything about us?

We do!

Until we are in Heaven with God, our faith is the proof to our soul that our belief is genuine.

For now, we can’t see our Savior in person, but only in our hearts revealed by the Spirit of God.

Peter compares our faith to refined gold, indicating how precious our faith is to God. One day, all of earth’s gold will be destroyed, but God will preserve believers, burning away impurities and revealing a lasting faith that can never be destroyed.

As you know the Bible uses this metaphor frequently. Just look back to the story of Job. “Yet he knows the way I have taken; when he has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.”

Job 23:10 (CSB)

Job’s story shows his great suffering, but it also reveals his strong faith in God. He endured until the end.

And if you are a believer, you have likely seen God’s hand even in sorrow and suffering. He loves you and wants you to say with Job, “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last!”

Job 19:25 (NLT)

Do you see how that last phrase of our key verse agrees with Job’s praise in that verse? Take a look one more time at those last words of 1 Peter 1:7 “…may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Our faith in the invisible God of the universe is crucial. While we may suffer doubt and despair, we can always run to Him because He is faithful. Look at what God wants us to know next.

Though you have not seen him,

you love him; 

though not seeing him now,

you believe in him,

and you rejoice 

with inexpressible

and glorious joy,

because you are receiving the goal of your faith,

the salvation of your souls.

1 Peter 1:8-9 (CSB)

As we lean into a deeper relationship with God, which usually comes through trials, do you find that you are more aware of loving Him?

I am not sharing worthless religious notions. From my experiences of illness, loss, and even my scars earned by sinful choices, I still need to grow and learn what my Savior wants for my life.

Although I don’t enjoy sorrow, I love everything He has chosen for me. Despite the difficulties I’ve encountered so far, I find joy in knowing my Redeemer has been with me throughout. He has revealed Himself to me in ways I could not have known about Him otherwise.

My Jesus has ordered my path.

He has faced a much darker journey. He faced the punishment for my sin and yours. He has never left me by myself. But He has suffered, alone. His own Father left Him as He took the punishment for every filthy sin.

Why not finish this passage by reading 1 Peter 1:10-12. See what God did to help you discover your faith. Read what He says about angels in this passage.

And then make the decision to deepen your walk with God by reading, studying, loving and maybe even teaching the Word of God.

Thank Him because: “You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”

1 Peter 1:5 (CSB)

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.