1 PETER 1: 6-9 [Renewing Hope Series]
OUR PRESENT JOY
[James 1:2-4 / Romans 5: 3-5]
Our faith in Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead not only fills us with a living hope but also with joy inexpressible and full of glory. As we endure the trials of life God refines our faith and develops our inner strength as He prepares us for the most wondrous experience of our existence, our great personal encounter with Him at the end of our earthly life.
So after beginning his letter with words of hope and encouragement, Peter proceeds with loving counsel for those who are facing trials and suffering. Although he discusses the matter of suffering thoroughly later in his letter (3:13-17, 4:12-19, 5:9), he promptly opens up the subject here [with great wisdom and insight].
Peter knows what it means to face temptations and trials. He remembers well the pain of falling to temptation when he denied his Lord on the night of Christ’s betrayal. Undoubtedly, Peter continued to face trials through out his life, and he discovered that in addition to the grief that trials bring, God uses trials to bring benefits into our life. And so he shares with a suffering church various results that develop out of the trials which God allows to come into our lives (CIT). [Cedar, Paul. The Preacher's Commentary Series, Vol 34 : James / 1 & 2 Peter / Jude. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1984, S. 116.]
I. GREAT REJOICING, 1:6.
II. PRECIOUS FAITH, 1:7.
III. INEXPRESSIBLE JOY, 1:8.
IV. FAITH’S OUTCOME, 1:9.
Meditating on the coming glorious culmination/consummation of our salvation brings us Present Joy as verse 6 teaches. “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,”
Peter understood that as we make our way through life, we will suffer as a result of our troubles. Tough times can bring pain and sadness and they don’t seem to bring any good at all. Peter told us to greatly rejoice in them. He wanted us to look ahead to the necessary spiritual development that trials bring and to reside in the forever joy that is ours. We thus can actually rejoice through our difficulties because God has reserved something special for us at the end of our journey due to our suffering for His name. The gains of heaven will more than compensate us for the losses of earth.
The prospect of our inheritance and finishing our salvation journey should encourage us to greatly rejoice. The unusual Greek word [agalliasthai] translated greatly rejoice implies a forever joy, a joy that is out of this world. The word is used in 1:18 to convey an “inexpressible and glorious joy” and again in 4:13 for being “overjoyed” at the revelation of Jesus Christ. This joy is always a jubilant release for some divine action.
We have this great joy “even though now for a little while” we experience suffering. We can because this joy is unconditional, or not dependent on one’s external circumstances. Because of the hope that is within us we can rejoice in spite of and even in the midst of our hard trials. Early Christians vivid awareness of the presence of God in their lives enabled them to rejoice in God as He carried them through all manner of deprivation and ill-treatment.
II. PRECIOUS FAITH, 1:7.
A purpose of trials is to enrich and develop our faith which is more precious than gold verse 7 proclaims. “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;”
God assures us in the midst of our sorrow that it is being used for a positive purpose. God is not the cause of suffering and pain, but He doesn’t allow it to be wasted. He uses every trial for our good if we commit ourselves to Him (Rom. 8:28).
The purpose of our trials is said to involve faith. Not saving faith, but sanctifying faith. These various trials have two benefits or results for our faith. First these trials Demonstrate our Faith. One reason trials are necessary is to prove the genuineness of our faith. The word dokimazomenou, rendered proved genuine, means “to test for the purpose of approving” (dokimion, “testing,” as in James 1:3, and dokimon, “test,” in James 1:12), to demonstrate the authenticity of something. We suffer trials so that our faith may be proved genuine. Trials let the reality of our faith be displayed.
Gold is used as an illustration. If you think you’ve discovered gold, how would you prove its authenticity, its true value? You would take it to an assayer to evaluate the gold. He would then test it to see if it was real or genuine.
Peter says that the same thing often happens to our faith. If we had nothing but favorable circumstances, our faith might not be authentic faith in God but belief because of our favorable circumstances. But take away our favorable circumstances. Then if faith in God is still there, it’s real faith.
[A severe trial is sometimes called an “acid test.” This term originated during times when gold was widely circulated. Nitric acid was applied to an object of gold to see if it was genuine or not. If it was fake the acids decomposed it. If it was genuine the gold was unaffected.]
So trials prove the reality of one’s faith. Again the key word is “faith.” Trials can and often do destroy the faithfulness of those who have no true faith in Christ. But for those who are trusting in Christ with vital faith, trials reveal its authenticity, its true value.
Second, these trials Develop our Faith. Trails can also strengthen one’s faith. Like physical muscles that must be exercised in order to be strengthen our faith must be tested and exercised to grow strong. The stresses of life cause us to exercise and strengthen our Christian’s faith
So trials test and refine or purify our faith, much as gold is refined by fire when its dross is removed. Gold when it comes out of the ground is mixed with impurities. Only as it is put through the fire, only as it is tested is the value of gold strengthen or maximized.
In life, you will be tested. And the purpose of the test is not just to reveal your faith, but to refine it. God doesn't test your faith in order to know how much you have, He already knows. No, He tests your faith so that you can know and are given an opportunity to strengthening it. Stop and consider the hardest thing that's going on in your life right now, then ask yourself, "is this situation decreasing my faith or increasing it?"
In likening faith to gold tried by fire, Peter reaches back to a statement made by a man who knew what it meant to go through trials and difficulties. Job 23:10 says, “But he knoweth the way that I take. When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
In Bible times, when a man wanted to make something of fine gold, he would subject the ore to such INTENSE HEAT that all of the impurities would be burned out. The goldsmith would know that the work was done when he could see the reflection of his own face in the liquefied gold.
The same thing is true with us. The Lord says, “I’ve got big plans for you, huge plans. These plans are not for this life only, but for eternity. Therefore, I may need to turn up the heat a bit to work out the impurities. But My hand is on the thermostat. I know exactly what I’m doing. Although at the present moment, it might not be easy, you’ll thank Me for the next billion years to come because what I’m after is to see the reflection of My face in your life.”
Although we may not realize it, what believers really want is to be like Jesus. There are things in our lives that keep that from happening, so the way God deals with them is to turn up the heat a bit in order that we’ll come out of the fire stronger in faith and more like the Lord.
When you finally understand this, you’ll rejoice in difficulty rather than rebel because you’ll see it as a purifying process that will work wonderful things into your life. [Courson, Jon: Jon Courson's Application Commentary. Nashville, TN : Thomas Nelson, 2003, S. 1546] […but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, endurance; and endurance, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given unto us. Romans 5:3–5]
“I know you’re going through exceedingly difficult days, with even tougher times coming your direction,” says Peter, “but you can choose to rejoice. Why? Because trials strengthen faith.”
In addition to comparing faith to gold, Peter contrasted purified faith with purified gold. Gold was the most precious and highly valued possession in the ancient world (Ezra 8:27; Job 28:15-16; Ps./ 19:10). Faith is far more precious, of greater worth, than gold. Even refined gold, though it lasts a long time, eventually perishes (1 Peter 1:18; James 5:3). It will be valueless in the marketplace of eternity. But our faith has an eternal value that can never perish.
The results of tested, tired, and proven faith is that we may be enabled to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Genuine faith is not only of eternal value to its possessor, but it will also bring praise, glory, and honor to the One whose name Christians bear, when Jesus returns (is revealed; 5:1) to claim us as His own. [“Is revealed” translates apokalypsei, from which comes “apocalypse” (1:5, 12, and comments on v. 13). [Walvoord, John & Zuck, Roy. The Bible Knowledge Commentary : Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983, S. 842.]
But more than us honoring Jesus it is also so that we can be praised, honored, and glorified by Jesus at His second coming. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
So our focus should not be upon our suffering, trials, or temptations. We should be looking forward to the ultimate revelation of Jesus Christ. The our proven faith will bring praise, honor, and glory to Christ when He comes again to reign as King of kings and Lord of lords.
III. INEXPRESSIBLE JOY, 1:8.
Verse 8 speaks of a spiritual joy that is so deep, so personal, that it cannot be adequately expressed in words. “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,”
Not only do trials strengthen our faith in the Lord, but they deepen our love for the Lord. Although those to whom Peter was writing had never seen Jesus physically, [unlike Peter. Peter had not only seen Jesus daily in His humanity, but he had actually seen a sneak preview of His deity.] Yet they love Him for they have experienced our Savior standing with them in their suffering, even though they couldn’t see Him by sight. Through this experience with Jesus their love for Him deepened. Even though we cannot see Jesus in our trials, His presence there is real. Certainly Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego found this to be true. Inside a furnace seven times hotter than it had ever been heated, these guys were in a fiery trial indeed. Yet because a “fourth Man”—the Son of God, was in the fire with them, they were protected and stayed in the fiery furnace until they were commanded to come out (Daniel 3:26).
Some Christians are getting to the place where we say, “Lord, keep me in the fire continually if that’s what it takes for me to see You more clearly and love you more dearly.”
In times of trials we sense the blessed presence of Jesus, and that causes us to “greatly rejoice, with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”
That joy is “unspeakable,” or beyond human description, for it is not of human origin and does not belong to this world order. It is a divine gift (Ps. 16:11; John 15:9-11; 16:24; Rom. 15:13; Gal. 5:22) and a direct consequence of our abiding in Christ in the midst of the storms of life. It is a little taste of heaven that God gives to enjoy while we are still here on earth. Such joy from Christ’s Presence is a promise of what will be ours in heaven.
Joy does not come from the abundance of things or earthly comforts we have. Joy comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives. The joy of the Lord can be ours only when Jesus is Lord and we are surrendered to the Holy Spirit. Authentic joy cannot be contrived or fabricated. It must come from the heart through a living relationship with Jesus.
[In the midst of trials, we can experience authentic joy. The joy of the Lord does not come from the externals of life. It can be experienced only as we walk in the Spirit and receive joy as one of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23).
The possession of joy is always dependent upon living in a vital relationship to Christ. Where the Lord is, there is authentic joy.]
William Drummond told a story of a young woman he knew whose face always seemed to RADIATE CHRISTIAN JOY. Her actions too made it evident that she was a devout follower of Christ. But she also had one other identifying feature - she always wore a little GOLD LOCKET around her neck. Such oval or heart-shaped cases usually contain the picture of a loved one, which the wearer gladly shows to anyone who inquires. This girl, however, never showed anyone what was inside hers.
One day, during a time when she had become seriously ill, one or her closest friends was permitted to open the locket. Drummond said; "Instead of seeing the photograph of the girl's mother, or of some male admirer, she found inscribed the words, 'Whom, having not seen, I love.' The secret of her consecrated life was revealed. She had given her full devotion to Jesus, the Lover of her soul, and all her actions had been beautified by His presence."
If we love Christ, and look forward to the day when we will see Him, we will want to live for Him right now (1 Pet. 1:13-15). The evidence of our love for Him will be heard in our words and seen in our deeds.
Do you carry in the "locket of your heart" the memory of the One who died for you on Calvary? [H.G.B. Our Daily Bread. Radio Bible Class.] A life given fully to God becomes a God-filled life.
C. S. Lewis abandoned his Christian upbringing and for many years remained a sophisticated skeptic. Yet every so often an intense longing would grip him, a nostalgic desire for something he couldn't explain. As he thought and studied, he came to realize that his yearning was really a soul-need. Finally he surrendered to God and he was as the title of his autobiography says, Surprised By Joy. Until that crucial point in his life, he had chosen to exclude himself from the kingdom of God. And had he died while still out side of that kingdom, he would have be deprived of the presence of Christ and the joy of heaven.
Give your life to Christ. He'll deprive you of nothing worth keeping, and He'll fill you with His joy. When God gives us a new beginning; we find a joy that's never-ending.
IV. FAITH’S OUTCOME, 1:9.
The end result of all our trials that strengthen our joy, faith, hope and love is the salvation of our souls which is found in verse 9. “obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.”
There is both a present continuation and a future conclusion to our salvation. Believers can rejoice because they are (pres tense) receiving or obtaining (komizomenoi, “to receive as a reward”) the sanctification or salvation of their souls. [They are presently receiving or being rewarded with their salvation.] The outcome or culmination (telos, “end”) of our continued faith is the continuing sanctification or salvation of our souls. For those who love and believe in Jesus Christ, salvation is past at ore “new birth,” (v. 3), present, through the sanctification process of our faith and future, an inheritance which will be revealed in the last time. We are now “receiving” our salvation even in our persecution which serves to deepen and demonstrates one’s faith. [Walvoord, & Zuck, p. 842.]
We certainly have cause for “joy inexpressible and full of glory” for what God is doing in us is “eternal” rather than the temporary. The gold in which so many people trust is temporary; it will perish (v. 7). But the work of salvation of the Lord is eternal. No wonder we can have joy unspeakable and full of glory even in the midst of temporary trials and pain. We are assured of victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! We are able to bring praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ!
IN CLOSING
In the midst of suffering it easy to forget that God watches over His children. We often want to run from trials, but God wants us to face them that He might demonstrate and develop our faith.
One day when we see Christ most of our spiritual development well be seen to be the results of the suffering and trials of earth. At that time we will praise Him for how He used them in our life for our eternal good. But, with the eyes of faith, you don’t need to wait til them to praise Him for His deepening and painful work.
Come right now and encounter joy inexpressible and full of glory as you praise and thank Him for experiencing His Presence in the trials and suffering of your life.
[Alternate ending. [See my message, Dennis Davidson. Sermon Central.com 1 Peter 1:3-9. Living Hope]
For those of us who believe in Jesus and in His resurrection, we have an certain hope. However, my friends, there are many people who have an uncertain hope for the future. They do not have a clear path as to where they need to be and go. They do not have a certainty about what the future holds.
When we follow our own path we are denying Jesus. As a result of our selfish choices we may get what we want out of life, a great career, money, possessions, toys, lifestyle, but anytime the focus is on ourselves there is always a cost. Perhaps not at first but eventually relationships suffer (spouse, kids, parents, siblings, friends), sometimes our health suffers, many times there is empty feeling inside, because we have climbed the ladder of life only to realize the ladder was on the wrong wall.
Perhaps like Peter we come to a point where God convicts our hearts and we too feel worthless, ashamed, disappointed, a failure, believe there is no hope for us. We deserve to be disowned by Jesus. Or perhaps the emptiness of our own lifestyle causes us to wonder in our hearts if this is all there is to life.
After winning his third SUPER BOWL, Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots was on “60 Minutes” and he said this in his interview:
“Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there’s something greater out there for me? I mean, maybe a lot of people would say, ’Hey man, this is what is. I reached my goal, my dream, my life.’ Me, I think, ’God, it’s got to be more than this.’ I mean this isn’t, this can’t be what it’s all cracked up to be."
Some would claim Tom Brady had achieved what most men dream of, the chance to win not just one Super Bowl but three. Still in his twenties he should have been at the top of his life, and yet he still felt as though something were missing, his life was still empty.
In contrast to this we have Dungy’s testimony in his book, Quiet Strength. For those who may not know Tony Dungy was the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts who won the Super Bowl in 2007. He’s a strong Christian and in retrospect to his Super Bowl appearance he wrote this:
“The Super Bowl is great, but it’s not the greatest thing. My focus over the two weeks leading up to the Super Bowl was Matthew 16:26 in which Jesus asks, ‘And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your soul?’ Our guys could gain all the accolades and success of this world yet lose touch with their priorities, their principles, and the God who loves them.”
“That’s what this is all about. Touching lives. Building a legacy – not necessarily on the field but in those places that most people will never see. Trying to be faithful in the position God has given me. I love coaching football, and winning a Super Bowl was a goal I’ve had for a long time. But it has never been my purpose in life. My purpose in life is simply to glorify God. We have to be careful that we don’t let the pursuit of our life’s goal, no matter how important they seem, cause us to lose sight of our purpose.”
Two different Super Bowl winners, two very different perspectives. One feeling empty, the other satisfied because it wasn’t his primary goal in life anyway. Following our way eventually leads us to emptiness, disappointment, and un-fulfillment.
“A living hope” means that the believer’s hope is sure, certain, and real, as opposed to the deceptive, empty, false hope the world offers.
The well-known minister and Bible teacher A. T. Pierson (1837-1911) took a tour through a paper mill and was fascinated to see how dirty old rags Were being changed into fine quality white bond paper. He wrote, "What a contrast there was between the heap of filthy rags at one end of the process and the pure, spotless, white paper at the other! What a trial the rags go through before they emerge in this new form! Torn to pieces. . . , bleached with chloride of lime till all stains are removed, washed over and over. . . . How like the Divine discipline by which our filthiness is cleansed away."
The Bible is full of stories of God's children who have "gone through, the mill;” Job on the ash heap, Daniel in a den of lions, John on the lonely Isle of Patmos, Paul with a "thorn in the flesh," and those many unnamed martyrs in Hebrews 11:35-40. Such testing can have a cleansing transforming, glorifying effect On men and women of faith.
If you are suffering affliction as God's child, don't despair. You are in excellent company-the Company of those whose trials perfected their faith so that it would be found "to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Don't despair! -HGB God sometimes puts us through the mill to purify and perfect us.
