Day 19 | "There’s a Blessing in the Fire" - Principles of Empowerment 30-Day Devotional
1 Peter 1:6, In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7] that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
According to our text, trials, even those that grieve us, serve a purpose. The “genuineness” of our faith must be developed. God does not want to see whether are not we have faith. He knows that we have some level of faith. God wants to develop 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.
The bible Greek definition word of genuineness is “dokimion” meaning: 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 states, “Tested by fire.” God’s consuming fire does not come to test, but to 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 flavoring 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 been transformed by a “seasoning with fire.”
God helps us arrive to a state where we do not corrode under exposure to the negative 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.”
When we are experiencing the fire of challenge and adversity, we know that God’s refining fire makes 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 the aim of our life with God!
Reflection Question: How has greater seasoning by fire helped you become a better Christian and person?
(Excerpt from “Principles of Empowerment” 30-day devotional. www.visionbooksmedia.com)
