Is Your Faith Dirty?

This brings you great joy, although you may have to suffer for a short time in various trials.  Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold—gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away—and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6-7

Our salvation from God should bring us great joy. This joy comes not only when things are going well for us, but should be present also in the midst of various trials. These trials can be testing from God, persecutions from others, or even from poor decisions on our part. These trials bring sorrow and are necessary. Trials don’t necessarily mean we have sinned. Of course sin often leads to suffering, but the converse is not true – suffering in a person’s life is caused by sin. Trials are a natural part of life and certainly natural in believers’ lives. The believer should never expect smooth sailing in life nor make as his or her goal the avoidance of all trials.

In many translations, the word “necessary” is used to describe the trials. Why are they necessary? Trials are necessary to test our faith, or to show that our faith is real and true. A new believer’s faith is as real as the faith of an old believer who has walked with God for 50 years. The difference is that the older believer’s faith is tested and proven whereas the new believer’s faith, though of the same substance and as genuine, is untested. These various trials are absolutely essential in testing, as well as, tempering the new faith. Were it not for trials, the faith would remain unproven, a “dirty” or unrefined faith that has not seen the purifying fire. Therefore we should see trials as opportunities to grow and mature, not as something to be avoided.

This proven faith is of great value. In the New Testament times, gold was the standard of wealth, something highly desirable and valuable. Peter tells us that our proven faith is more valuable that purified gold, which perishes. Our proven faith will not perish. Gold, as is any type of riches today, has value. With it we can meet our needs and desires. We can buy food, provide shelter, and even secure temporary pleasures and happiness. What value does faith have? According to Peter, faith is much more valuable than gold or riches. Faith does not exist in a vacuum. In other words, faith must have an object. Faith’s value is not intrinsic, but the value lies in its object, i.e. God and Jesus Christ. A proven faith in God gives us hope. Faith and hope are linked, and this hope gives life. It’s possible to have riches and all our physical needs met, and still be dead in our soul and spirit. A faith and hope that is rooted in God brings life, eternal life. Proven faith enables us to persevere, to continue the journey, to fix our eyes on the day when Jesus will be revealed. Proven faith sustains us and nourishes our soul as we travel in this world as aliens and strangers. This faith is indeed more precious that material riches. For those whose citizenship is in heaven, faith is a precious commodity.

Not only is faith valuable, but the process of testing also has benefits. The proving of our faith has both a current benefit and a future benefit. Peter writes that the proven faith will result in praise, honor, and glory when Jesus is revealed. This praise, honor, and glory are both to the believer and to Jesus Christ. However, there is a present benefit in the proving of our faith, in that it encourages the believer whose faith is tested. Progress in our faith is not only an encouragement to us, but also to other believers who witness this growth. It also brings glory to God as believers look to God instead of looking to themselves or to the world. God is glorified whenever He manifests Himself in our daily lives.

Just as trials can prove that our faith is true and real, the converse must also be true. Trials can show that a person’s faith is not genuine or sincere. “The seed sown on rocky ground is the person who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy.  But he has no root in himself and does not endure; when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately he falls away.” Matt 13:20-21

In summary, do not be discouraged by trials, but be encouraged. Trials are a sign that God is at work in us. He is refining and strengthening our faith, and a strong faith gives us joy in this earthly journey.