Here are the verses we’ll be looking at today, 1 Peter 1:6-9

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.  Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith - the salvation of your souls.

 First, let us notice and enjoy the fact that Peter is encouraging their rejoicing in the midst of and even because of their trials.  This shows us just how much of a difference there is between biblical Christianity and the pop-culture Christianity that tells the world Christ wants us healthy and comfortable just as much as He wants us saved.  So many of the TBN preachers are bent on telling us that there is a blessing (money, wealth) if we would just step out in faith.  Well, here Peter is clear - just as much of the New Testament is clear - that a life lived with faith in Christ is often not comfortable and easy, but it is joyful!  We must realize that the joy which God wants for us is transcendent of this world and independent of its trials.  This is part of the reason the trials are good, they let us know whether we are trusting in the true God who provides for us eternal joy.

Second, notice why the trials are viewed in a positive light by Peter; so that their faith may be shown to be real and thereby bring praise to Christ.  It is not that faith apart from trials is not real faith, but the trials make the genuineness of faith that much more evident.  When faith is shown to be real it is a proclamation to the world that “Jesus is real” and that “the gospel is true!”  Also notice that these trials bring glory and honor to Christ, not to the one enduring the trials; why is this?  Remember from our previous study about the origin and nature of faith, it is the power of God. v.5 “you who are kept by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”  Thus, true faith is a testament to the power of God.  Not only can God create matter out of nothing, create man, part the sea, fell the walls of Jericho, rout armies, etc…., He can protect His people through faith!  That we would trust God against all circumstances and odds is a statement to the world that He is powerful!

Third, and I will conclude here, note the value of the faith.  “more precious than gold”  Why is this faith more precious than gold?  Well, precisely because of what we realized a moment ago, that faith is proclamation that Jesus is powerful.  The value of faith is rooted in the character of the one in whom faith is placed.  In our case, since we are placing our faith in Christ, and Christ is infinitely valuable; our faith is as valuable because it connects us with the One who is infinitely valuable.  And again, faith is a statement that Christ is worth more to us than anything.

In conclusion, note that the phrase “tested by fire” is a theme that we may see elsewhere in Peter’s writing.