We have mentioned before that too many professing Christians wrongly divide these two words “rejoicing and suffering.” Many, unfortunately, understand joy as merely the “absence” of suffering when, in reality, the Christian may experience both rejoicing and suffering together.
In fact, in the first verse of today’s text–1 Peter 1:6-9– we see these two states existing side by side: “In this you greatly rejoice though…you have been grieved by various trials.”
For the Christian, joy is not defined as the absence of suffering, but rather joy is that which makes possible the enduring of suffering.
The Christian has joy in spite of the suffering.
A mechanic uses a toolbox and carries it with him so that when he gets into trouble he can open the toolbox and use various tools to help him. If I could give you a “toolbox” to equip you for the times you face trouble and difficulty, then the toolbox would be these opening verses of 1 Peter.
We saw last time that verses 3-9 provide for us two main, overarching truths about salvation, two truths about salvation that emerge from the text. First:
Salvation Is A Gift That Lasts For Eternity
Salvation is a God-given gift that lasts forever. That’s 1 Peter 1:3-5. As we studied those verses in the previous post, we noted three aspects of salvation:
It Is A Sovereign Salvation
God is the One who gives it; God is the One who makes it happen. It is God-given to a people who do not deserve it and are incapable of earning it.
It Is A Secure Salvation
Our salvation is secure. It will stand the test of time. Among other things, Peter describes this living hope as “an inheritance,” an inheritance that is “incorruptible.”
It Is A Sustained Salvation
In other words, God sustains our faith in Christ, He keeps us believing in Him.
In today’s post we’ll see how this salvation serves as a motivator and encouragement during times of struggle, challenge, and difficulty.
Here’s the second, main, overarching truth: not only is salvation a gift that lasts for eternity, but also:
Salvation Leads To Growth During Times Of Adversity
This truth implies that there will, in fact, be times of adversity.
Throughout the New Testament we read time and again that seasons of adversity are not rare moments in the Christian experience, but are actually the norm of the Christian experience. Suffering is common to all Christians. Suffering is part of the journey we each are on as we “sojourn” through this fallen world on our way to the Promised Land of heaven. Consider just a few of the many passages that teach this:
Acts 14:22, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
Romans 5:3-4, “We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
James 1:2-4, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
And of course our passage before us here in 1 Peter and verse 6, Peter mentions our “being grieved by various trials.” Suffering is the norm of the Christian experience. Our suffering, however, is not a pointless suffering. God is in our suffering, He is working in and through our suffering. So here is the first sub-point:
As We Live For Christ Our Faith Will Be Tested
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, (verse 6)
We said that suffering is the norm of the Christian experience. And Peter has in mind specifically the suffering that these Christians are experiencing as they live in a culture that is very much “anti-Christian,” a Roman culture that would, in just a few years, mean the severe persecution and death of Christians simply because they were followers of Christ.
That’s important for us to remember as we study Peter’s letter. He’s not talking about suffering because we got a flat tire on the way to work or suffering because the rent is due and we’re a couple hundred dollars short.
At the same time, however, these verses certainly apply in those situations. This passage has implications for suffering on every level and applies to every situation where we are grieved by various trials.
You see that last phrase there in verse 6: “grieved by various trials.” The Christians living in the 1st Century Roman provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia faced trials few of us have ever faced or will ever face.
Having said that, it is true that the way Christians could endure those trials in their context is the same way you and I can endure our trials today–the various trials we face like declining health, the overdue rent payment, getting the flat tire, parenting struggles, and private battles like loneliness or depression. Indeed, we all encounter “various trials.”
Now, look again at how verse 6 begins. Peter writes, “In this you greatly rejoice.” What is the “this” of verse 6? In what exactly do we rejoice?
Peter is not talking about the trial itself. How goofy it would be to rejoice in the trial: “I’m so happy I wrecked my car!” Or, “I’m rejoicing that I have an incurable disease!”
No. So what is the “this” in which Christians greatly rejoice?
Nothing is as great a help in determining the meaning of a verse as reading it in context. The “this” harkens back to what Peter had just been writing about in the preceding verses. We recall that he was writing about the Christian’s salvation. This wonderful salvation Peter writes about–this living hope, this inheritance, this salvation that is given sovereignly by God, this secure and sustained salvation–it is in this that you greatly rejoice.
There is a link here from suffering back to salvation, a link from the trial of suffering to the theology of salvation.
In essence, Peter is saying, “Here’s how you get through difficult days: you go back to your theology.”
Occasionally, an unthinking Christians says, “Oh, don’t give me theology, just give me Jesus.” Well you can’t have Jesus without a theological understanding of who He is! We have to be sure we are getting our information from what the Bible actually teaches.
You need the theology of verses 1-5 to live in the suffering of verses 6-7.
Look at all the theology in verses 1-5! You have the doctrine of election and foreknowledge which, you will recall doesn’t mean “foreseen,” but “fore-loved.” God lovingly set His affection upon the Christian before he or she even realized it, that’s election; God’s sovereign and loving choice to save.
Then Peter says God regenerated our dead hearts. We have been “begotten again,” born again to a living hope. God did this not because we deserved it but “according to His abundant mercy.”
In verse 3 you see the doctrine of Christ’s resurrection, verse 4 our inheritance in heaven, verse 5 how God keeps us saved so that we persevere to the end, and you even have glorification–the final state of our salvation–at the end of verse 5, a “salvation ready to be revealed at the last time.”
Little wonder Peter now says in verse 6, “In this you greatly rejoice;” in this salvation I have been writing to you about! In this you live. In this you breathe. In this you greatly rejoice. So when the going gets tough, remember this, remember your salvation.
Peter adds that trials last only “for a little while.” That is to say, however long our trials and difficulties may last, they are relatively short when one thinks of them in the context of eternity.
Again, theology helps. Christians currently experience only past and present salvation. The Christian can say, “I have been saved from sin’s penalty and I am being saved from sin’s power.”
But Christians also look forward to the future, a future when they will receive their inheritance, a fuller salvation “ready to be revealed in the last time.” Until then, the Christian confidently says, “I will be saved from sin’s presence.” In the meantime, Christians live in this fallen world for just “a little while,” a relatively short time when compared to eternity.
Paul makes the same point in Romans 8:18: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Note also that Peter says in verse 6, “In this you greatly rejoice though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials.”
If need be. That is, “if God deems it necessary, if God wills it, if God believes it is necessary for us to be grieved by various trials.”
Trials are not things that happen to us as though some impersonal force of nature were humming around the universe and things “just happen” to us and there’s no rhyme or reason for them. Rather, in a mysterious way, God superintends our trials and sufferings. He is there and He is working in and through our trials and sufferings–verse 7– “so that” our faith may be tested and proved genuine.
Sufferings and trials of Christians are within God’s will. This doesn’t mean any of us can fully explain how sin and tragedies are beneficial to God’s overarching plan, but it does mean that God is at work in them and through them for many purposes, not the least of which is to strengthen our faith. So we can say that sufferings and trials are within God’s will. Peter says this more directly in future chapters:
1 Peter 3:17, “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
1 Peter 4:19, “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”
When you suffer, remember that God is in control. Peter will go on to say later in chapter 2, “Christ suffered for you leaving you an example that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). When Christ suffered He gave up everything. Our suffering is “for a little while.” God is with us and is working through our suffering.
This is why we can both rejoice and suffer. The two go together, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:10, “Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” Or in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—”
Note again what God is doing in and through our suffering. Verse 7 begins with the word “that.” Grammatically, this word introduces a purpose clause. There is a purpose for our suffering. What is that purpose?
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, (verse 7)
God uses our trials and sufferings to strengthen our faith and to prove our faith genuine. In verse 7, Peter compares the testing of our faith to the testing of gold.
Picture the refining process of precious metals like gold. The gold is heated and the impurities rise to the top and are skimmed off or removed so that what remains is pure, precious, unadulterated gold. In essence, what is already valuable becomes even more valuable.
And yet, even that gold will one day “perish” writes Peter. This is to be contrasted with the Christian’s faith which will never perish. Remember verse 5: Christians are “kept by the power of God through faith.” And this faith which is valuable becomes even more valuable, more precious, when it is tested.
When the Christian goes through difficulties and trials, his or her faith grows and becomes stronger and more precious; more valuable.
Understood this way, there is no trial that is senseless. There is no suffering that is wasted. There is no difficulty without value. Every trial has a purpose and every purpose is good: “that the genuineness of your faith may be proved more precious than gold.”
At the end of verse 7, Peter adds that our faith “may be found to (or result in) praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” That is, when Christ returns, the quality of our faith may result in praise, glory, and honor. Put another way, our faith will win these things: praise, glory, and honor.
So remember: God is at work in and through your trials. He is at work proving and strengthening your faith. He is at work removing the impurities of your present faith in order that you might win praise, glory, and honor when Christ returns.
When you face difficulties–whatever form they may take; whatever “various trials” you face–God is removing impurities in your faith.
Maybe it’s the impurity in your faith of depending more on money than depending on God.
Maybe it’s the impurity in your faith of trusting in yourself instead of trusting in your Lord.
Maybe it’s the impurity in your faith of feeling self-reliant, feeling a sense of wrongful pride in your successes.
Maybe it’s the impurity in your faith of being in an ungodly, unhelpful relationship.
Maybe it’s the impurity in your faith of finding your security in your job, rather than in Jesus.
Whatever impurity it is, trust that God is at work for the good purpose of making your faith stronger.
As we live for Christ our faith will be tested. Here’s the second sub-point:
As We Love Christ Our Faith Will Triumph
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, (verse 8)
Peter is writing about the Christian’s love for Jesus Christ. He has just mentioned Jesus at the end of verse 7–writing about the return of Christ–and this reflection seems to cause Peter to write a bit more about the Christian’s relationship with Christ. He refers to Christ as the One “whom having not seen you love.” That is, the Christians scattered among these five Roman provinces never saw Christ the way Peter saw Him. They had not seen Him during Christ’s earthly ministry, nor had they seen Him in His resurrected body. Peter says, “whom having not seen you love.” Even though they had never seen Christ, they loved Him.
Peter adds, “Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.”
When you suffer various trials remember the love of your life; remember Jesus. He is the One you love though you have not seen Him: “Though now you do not see Him, yet believing.” Remember Christ when the going gets tough. He is the One you love. Continue loving Christ and you will “rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory!”
receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. (verse 9)
While you go through various trials remember that God is strengthening your faith, removing impurities from your faith, so that you will keep your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ, the One in Whom and through whom you will receive “the end of your faith–the salvation of your souls.”
As we love Christ, our faith will triumph.
Chicago lawyer Horatio Spafford understood this truth. Having already lost a son, Spafford later suffered more loss in the Chicago fire of 1871. Two years later, he tragically lost his four daughters in a terrible accident at sea. Yet it was Spafford who gave us the great hymn, It is Well with My Soul, a hymn written not long after the death of his daughters. Recall the words:
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Spafford could not explain why God allowed such great loss, but He knew that God was in control and trusted Him.
As we love Christ, our faith will triumph.
What About You?
- “Suffering is the norm of the Christian experience.” Why then does much popular preaching seek to avoid this truth?
- How will reflecting on theology equip you to endure suffering this week?
- What impurities in your faith may God need to remove?
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