Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9

How do we know if your faith is genuine? You will often hear people say “They are a fake Christian” or “We are the real Church”, so how do we know who is real or fake? Well don’t worry because your faith is going to be tested by trials and temptations. People will often question God, why would he allow me to go through this? Or I’m a good Christian, why would God let me go through this? We must go through the trial of fire to strengthen our faith in Christ

Previously the Apostle Peter talked about how Jesus is our Living Hope, which is great news for us all. However the reality is we are still living in a fallen world until Christ returns, you are going to go through many trials and temptations as a test of your faith. As Peter says here “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory appearing of Jesus Christ” 

Becoming saved in Christ doesn’t mean your done now until Christ returns. In fact when you become saved, this just begins your journey with Christ. As disciples of Christ, we have alot of learning and growing to do with the Holy Spirit, a process called sanctification, Peter hopes your trial of faith might be found honorable when you stand before The Lord Jesus Christ. 

When we look back at our walk with Christ, you probably say “I can’t believe I said that or believed that a year ago” We should continually be seeing growth in our Christian walk , if were not seeing any growth as a Christian, then something is wrong with our conversion to Christ. If the Holy Spirit is living inside of you, then we should see fruits of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 7) 

Many of us, including myself, when we go through a trial, a difficult time, a test, we see how much we learned from God through this and how much our faith has grown. This is the whole purpose of trials and temptations, it’s actually for the benefit of your soul. That’s why the Apostle James says “Consider it joy when you go through trials” (James 1:2) What? How can that make any sense? Because when you understand its all for your own benefit in the eternal perspective. 

As Peter also says here “Receiving the result or outcome of your faith, the salvation of your soul” How did you respond going through a trial or temptation? Did you lean on the rock, Jesus Christ? Or did you fall like the house built on the sand? As Jesus said “Those who endures to the end, shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13) Amen!