I was talking with someone yesterday about the stuff going on in our family right now. In the course of the conversation she said something like, “Sounds like you guys are doing ok . . . you’ve got your faith.” True enough . . . what we believe to be true about God . . . and His care for us . . . and His Sovereign working in all circumstance, has a sustaining aspect to it. As I’m reading 1Peter this morning it speaks of being “guarded through faith.” But Peter also reminded me this morning that, as important as they are, there is so much more to faith than just getting by and making it through . . .

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1Peter 1:6-7 ESV)

Ok . . . so the ESV translation here really grabs me . . . “the tested genuineness of your faith.” It occurs to me that probably most often I think of faith as something that gets you through the day . . . a way to take the edge off the uncertainty of the future . . . as the anchor which helps maintain some stability through the storm . . . all true. But here I’m reminded that it’s the tough day that refines my faith . . . the scary future that takes theoretical trusting and turns it into “rubber meets the road” clinging to the One who holds tomorrow . . . the gale force winds and crashing waves which take off the rough edges of unbelief and leave polished stones as evidence that God really can be trusted. And how valuable is the tested genuineness of faith? Pretty!!!

God’s word says that it is more precious than gold. Even though gold can stand the heat . . . though it knows the purification process by having the burners set on high . . . when all is said it done, it perishes . . . breaks down . . . has no eternal properties and no eternal worth. Tested faith, on the other hand, has value for eternity . . . it is a “precious stone” forever. Tested genuine faith will be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Christ returns. Not my praise . . . not my glory . . . not my honor. Instead, this faith that comes through the fire, takes on properties that exalts the object of our faith . . . Jesus, the risen Christ . . . Jesus, the coming again King.

How does that change my thinking if, rather than faith being about getting through the trial, the trial becomes the means by which my faith is refined such that it becomes a precious and valued offering to my Savior? I say that I seek to live for His glory . . . that I desire to be a living sacrifice for His praise . . . that I want to honor Him in all aspects of my life. If that’s really true, then being “grieved by various trials” provides opportunity to live out those high and lofty goals. Though the trial itself ain’t much to sing and dance about, I can rejoice in knowing that, if I will yield to His working in and around me, this time can be used to create something that will bring Him the glory I desire He receive . . . the glory He deserves to receive.

Faith is dynamic . . . it needs to be exercised . . . and, when it is, it is refined. What may start out more theoretical becomes intensely practical. What starts out as a seed on the surface, ends up driving down deep, deep roots and blossoms into something that pleases and delights the Father . . . for without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). What begins as a coping mechanism, morph’s into a loving relationship . . . transforms into laughter and singing beyond explanation . . .

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1Peter 1:8-9 ESV)

Yes, it’s about so much more than just coping . . . it’s about falling deeply in love . . . it’s about a joy that transcends the things of earth and this life . . . it’s about realizing the “end game”, the salvation of my soul.

Oh, that I would know the tested genuineness of faith . . . by His grace . . . for His glory.