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.
1 Peter 1:6-7 ESV
We are baptized in water as a sign that we have received the forgiveness of sin. We are baptized in the Spirit to receive the power to obey God. We are baptized in fire to receive the assurance that our faith is real.
Precious metals are tested and purified through the refiner’s fire. The impurities are burned off and the slag removed until only the pure remains.
If metals, which will perish through the passage of time, are tested and refined under such intense conditions, how much more will our hearts go through a purification process?
The trials we face are no strange thing. It’s all part of the process. The baptism of fire. Our God is a consuming fire. Be consumed by God. You will not die, although your flesh might cry out for mercy.
The funny thing is, our trials do not break us. They make us stronger. They make us turn to God in greater measure as we don’t know what to do except to trust God.
Faith is like a muscle. The more you exercise it, the stronger it gets. Faith is also like a shield. It guards us from the lies of the enemy that would seek to discourage us from abiding in God’s love. Faith is more precious than gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, Bitcoin, American Dollars or any other created thing.
Faith is what gives us life. Faith is what gives us hope. Faith is what strengthens us to endure. Faith is what assures us of our salvation. Faith is the key to unlock the door into the eternal Kingdom of God. Faith in Jesus is the most precious thing in all the world.
Guard your faith. Build your faith. Increase your faith. Share your faith. Let faith be the one thing that defines your life.
The coming Kingdom will be populated by those who endure until the end without losing their faith. Know that trials will come. Expect them so you’re not caught off guard.
Be more diligent in your daily habits of prayer, worship, devotional time in the Word and fellowship with the saints. These simple practices will sustain you through the storms of life.
God is inviting us to draw near to Him. He promises us that He will draw near to us if we do. Close the gap. Unite yourself with the Lord. Become one with Him as He and the Father are One. One heart. One mind. One purpose. One mission. To be faithful to the One who sent you here to be a witness.
Lord, increase our faith. Help us with our unbelief. Sustain us, by Your Spirit, through every trial and every storm. Give us wisdom to navigate the days ahead. Let us be fearless as we hold onto the promises of God. Let us be Your ambassadors, pure and holy, tried and true. And let us be found faithful on that fateful day when You call us all back home to be with You forever and ever. Amen.