There's a Blessing in the Fire
According to our text, trials, even those that grieve us, serve a purpose. The “genuineness” of our faith must be cultivated. God does not want to see whether are not we have faith. He knows that we have some level of faith. God wants to cultivate and make our faith grow. Our faith is our confidence in God. Our faith is our trust in his word and acting on the word. Our faith is also what we believe, and how our beliefs impact how we live.
Greek definition of genuineness is “dokimion:” 1) the proving 2) that by which something is tried or proved, a test; like the crucible of a furnace for smelting.
We know Peter is not talking about a consuming fire because the text says, “Tested by fire.” God’s consuming fire does not come to test, but to judge, consume and destroy. Peter is describing a refining fire.
Let’s understand refining fire: In Mark 9:49 Jesus said, “For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.” We know that salt "seasons" by acting as an influencing agent, whether for seasoning or as a preservative.
Steel becomes stainless steel by the "seasoning" of fire while adding chromium. All forms of iron and steel will rust when exposed to the elements, but stainless steel will not rust or corrode. Why? Stainless steel does not rust because it has undergone a “seasoning with fire.”
God helps us arrive at a state where we do not corrode under exposure to the elements of life. This happens as our faith is "seasoned" by God's refining fire. The highest aim for cultivating our faith is not to get more stuff. The highest aim and purpose of faith, according to the text, takes us to a place where we can be “found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Here’s the highest aim and purpose of your faith: “Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”
At every station in life, at all times good and bad, but especially in bad times. When we are in the fire of adversity, We know that God’s refining fire is make us and our faith stronger! Though we do not see Jesus, we continue to love Him!
Peter went on to say, "Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory."
This should be our aim of life with God!
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Click to here to listen message from 11-18-2012 by Bryan Hudson: "Blessing in the Fire."
