“Our vision is so limited we can hardly imagine a love that does not show itself in protection from suffering…. The love of God did not protect His own Son…. He will not necessarily protect us – not from anything it takes to make us like His Son. A lot of hammering and chiseling and purifying by fire will have to go into the process.” ― Elisabeth Elliot
“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:6–9, NASB95)
God allows trials in our life in order to prove by testing the quality of the believer’s faith. In the same way that gold is purified by fire, so trials distinguish genuine faith and also purifies and refines that faith. Many people have a superficial profession of faith. They say they believe in God until that faith is challenged and then they fall away. It has been said, “A faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted.
Peter may have been writing this letter from Rome, where the church was undergoing intense persecution form Nero. This intense persecution came as a result of refusal to participate in emperor worship, resulting in extreme testing of their faith. If they refused to worship Nero it could cost them their life. By standing firm in the trial of faith, believers were giving honor and glory to God, proving that they really believe in Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
In these last days believers will encounter various trials and attacks. The world system will put believers on trial trying to devalue their faith and challenge their belief in Jesus and the Word of God. Lawlessness will be the authority of the day and believers will have to decide if they will take a stand for Jesus or if they will fall away out of fear of the world. Jesus stood in His trial, will you?
Here are two questions to consider:
1) Are you willing to endure trials in order to glorify God?
2) Are you willing to endure trials in order to obtain glory?