Temptations and testings come to every Christian. Some have more than others. This is hard for us to understand. Peter, however, gives us tremendous words of encouragement and tells us something of the purpose behind many of the trials that come to us. Peter says in verse 7 that trials are like a particular kind of fire. Fire, of course, can be terrible in its power to hurt us. What is more painful, for instance, than a bad burn? The pain just never seems to stop. Trials can be like that too. When we are going through them, the way seems endless. But Peter says also that while trials are like fire, it is not fire that destroys, but the kind that refines or purifies our faith. Gold is melted over a hot fire and all the dross or impurities come to the surface to be skimmed off, leaving only pure gold behind. This is one of God's purposes in allowing testings and trials. He wants to purify our faith so that we put our trust only in him and in absolutely nothing else. In that way we are drawn much closer to him. Another result of testing is that our lives can bring praise and glory to Christ now in this life and also at his coming. Others can see now what Christ can do for us and in us. Then when Christ comes, our testing days will be over and the whole world will see how Christ has kept us safe even in times of testing. We can't see Christ now but that doesn't stop us from loving him. We can talk with him in prayer. He can talk with us through his Word, the Bible. One day we shall see him and then we will be fully like him. Isn't it wonderful to belong to Jesus Christ? Is he your own Saviour and friend? Some day all our testings will be over. When we see him we will say 'it has been worth it all' |
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