02-12-2023 Why Chrisitans Have Trials
Text: 1 Peter 1:6-9
Our faith in God brings us a lot of joy and comfort. It’s what allows us to recognize and receive blessings from God. Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:3 that we have a lot for which to praise God. He has given us living hope in the person of Jesus Christ, come to earth in the form of man in order that we may freely receive salvation from our sins. Because of that, Peter tells us in verses 4 and 5 that through our faith, we now have a lasting inheritance; meaning that we are equal heirs to all of heaven alongside Jesus. But no matter how strong our faith may be and because we live in a fallen world there will be times when we will be discouraged, and our faith will be tested.
Our text is from 1 Peter 1:6-9 where Peter writes: “(6) Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold temptations; (7) that the trial of your faith brings much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (8) Whom, having not seen, you love; in Whom, though now you see Him not, yet believing you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory; (9) receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”
When Peter writes of ‘heaviness through manifold temptations’ in verse 6, he’s warning us that while we will experience joy and untold blessings from God, there will also be trouble in our lives that we should not only expect but prepare for it. He’s showing us that all believers face trouble and trials when they let the light of Jesus shine into the darkness of this fallen world. He shows us in verse 7 that the trouble we encounter is part of the refining process that burns away impurities and prepares us to meet Christ. When gold is heated, impurities float to the top and are skimmed off. In the same manner our trails, struggles, and persecutions refine us by burning away sinful impurities. This works to make our faith pure and stronger so that we can be more useful to God.
Instead of asking ‘why me,’ our faith allows us react to suffering with a new set of responses. Our faith gives us the ability to respond with confidence that God knows, plans, and directs our lives for our good and His glory. Our faith shows us God always proves His love and strength for us and leads us toward a better future. Our faith gives us the ability to persevere when facing grief, anger, sorrow, and pain. Our faith allows us to express our grief, but not give in to the bitterness and despair that we often see in nonbelievers. Our faith gives us courage because with Jesus as Savior and always by our side, we don’t have to be afraid of the problems we encounter. He who suffered for us will never abandon us in our time of suffering. Jesus Christ carries us through everything!
Early Christians were persecuted because they refused to worship the Roman emperor as a god so they were viewed as traitors. They wouldn’t worship at pagan temples that were also moneymaking enterprises which hurt the finances of the empire. Rome scorned the Christian ideal of self-sacrificing service and Christians exposed and rejected the immorality of the pagan culture.
While there’s no Roman empire to deal with today, we still have to deal with the evil in this world guided and directed by Satan against all people who have faith in God. As such, Christians still are being persecuted for their beliefs. We’re often looked at as strange and naïve, then mocked because we believe in something that can’t be seen. We stay away of worldly things that bring dishonor to God and Jesus. We’re often misunderstood when we live out our Christian values of love and forgiveness especially toward those who hurt us. Even attending church is a reason for mocking and tormenting.
It’s easy to have faith in something that we can see or personally experience. We have faith that the light will go on when we flip the switch not because we completely understand the electrical properties that make it happen, but because we have experienced time and time again that the light does go on. Peter is showing us that because we haven’t seen and experienced face-to-face encounters with Jesus, it’s our faith that He is indeed real and alive that gives us eternal salvation and the promise of the day when the trouble and pain we experience in the earthly life as a Christian will come to an end. That’s when our faith will be richly rewarded, and evil will be punished and removed by the perfect justice of God our Father.
Until that time we are to faithfully serve God. If that means resolving conflicts, mending hurts, working a dull job, confronting a belligerent child, rebuilding relationships, or waiting for guidance from God, we must do it all with the joy and praise to God, knowing that He will help us and return His Son Jesus to this world with all of the rewards promised to those who are faithful and especially to those who remain faithful without the benefit of having personally seen Jesus.
Sometimes new Christians think they will be immune from problems in their lives. This is not the case. Christians will have to face trouble as long as they live in this world. In John 16:33 Jesus tells us “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace…In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” We all will have sickness, relationship and financial problems. Christian parents have difficult issues with their children and Christian workers will have problems with bosses who are hard to please. The testing we endure will at times cause us to become discouraged. But, in spite of the inevitable struggles we experience, remember that we are not alone. Jesus doesn’t abandon us to struggle alone. The ultimate victory has already been won and we can claim the peace of Christ in the most troubling of times. The struggles we experience are temporary. We are promised so much more in a future that will last for all eternity. There will come a time when there will be no more tears, pain, sorrow, or struggle.
Peter writes with authority. Remember Jesus told him of His coming death on the Cross and that Peter will deny knowing Him three times. Yet, Peter overcame that the test of faith. He helped build the Christian church we know today and yet was still persecuted and ultimately killed for his faith. The great apostle Paul was persecuted, stoned, and imprisoned for his faith. Stephen and James were persecuted and killed for their faith. Throughout the centuries, Christians have experienced trials. When you find yourself suffering for your faith, you’re in good company. If you aren’t, perhaps Satan already has you under his control. Think about that and make needed changes.
All who suffer trails because of their faith in Christ are being perfected by God. The return of Jesus will reveal to us that our faith is real. Our victories through our faith bring glory and praise to Jesus. Never forget that trials on earth are temporary, and our rewards will be eternal. The Savior we have yet to see face to face has promised that as we go through earthly trials, He will never leave us or give up on us as we are told in Hebrew 13:5. And we are promised in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that His grace is sufficient for us for His strength is made perfect in weakness. As long as we depend on Him when we are suffering, we will get through it by drawing on our faith.
So, we can and should thank God for the trials we go through because through faith, they bring us close to Him and our faith will grow stronger. Lean on your faith = even when it seems there’s no way out. Trust in Him and He will guide you out of the darkness you will experience.
May God continue to bless you and may you have the courage to keep your faith strong, especially through the trails you will face until we see Christ.