The Battles for what is ours in Christ
In this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 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, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls.
In our last lesson, we spoke of the inheritance that is ours, reserved in heaven, imperishable, but accessible now. The prodigal demanded his inheritance while the father was still alive. He received it from his father. So did the older brother. The younger brother wasted his inheritance and the older brother did not know what to do with his inheritance. This is very much like many believers not understanding the inheritance they have received in Christ Jesus and its importance for the here and now.
All that God the Father has provided in the Son is ours now.
“because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth.”
That hope is to be drawn on today. It is in heaven and will still be there when you arrive, but for now, all that is contained in that hope is yours to possess.
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee” (2 Corinthians 1:20-22).
As we pray and step out in faith, we receive from the inheritance that is ours. Beginning with our salvation, our receiving of the Holy Spirit, all the gifts He has for us in grace to be able to minister from our inheritance to others. Yes, the fruit of the Spirit, the character of our Father, and His Christ belong to us. The fruit is, for now, the gifts are for the now, and the “peace of God” that comes in the circumstances of life is ours in the present and the future.
“Consider our heavenly inheritance, accessed today in the power of Christ’s resurrection. Incorruptible and undefiled and is not fading away, reserved in heaven.”
Today, call on His name; receive the blessings of Christ in every situation. You don’t have to grunt your way through the trials and the trouble, or any other tribulation. The Lord is waiting for you to call on Him, as you abandon yourself and exercise the faith of God from His word and in the power of His resurrection life.
In this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials …,
Here is an important understanding of the Kingdom of God. Our success comes through “trials.” This is how we are appointed to enter into the Kingdom. See Acts 14:22 and be established in the path that leads to victories.
“strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
The word from Peter is to “greatly rejoice.” Rejoice in the “various trials.” We all have them in our walk with Christ. Peter is not speaking about problems that we produce on our own. The various trials that Peter is addressing are attached to being a Christian, one who bears the name of Jesus. One who seeks to let the life and nature of Jesus dominate every part of their lifestyle. Those trials could be on the home front with a spouse or with children that have chosen a path that is contrary to what you know to be God’s will. It could be in the workplace where your Christian values are being challenged every day by worldly views, or the world’s attitudes, and the world’s values.
Going back to Acts 14:22, we learn how we need to be strengthened in our souls. The apostles understood their assignment to “strengthen the souls of the disciples.” Not just to point them to Jesus, but to be available to strengthen them in their soul life. That means in their “reasoning’s.” It means in their “memories,” it means in their “imaginations,” it includes their conscience and their “affections.” It is to help the disciples grow into their “NEW” identity in Christ and be prepared for the challenges along the way.
It is important to understand that our life in Christ is the plan of God to bring the “kingdom of God into the world.” The world does not take lightly the change that God requires now that Christ has overcome the world, including the devil behind the sense. Only a supernatural life empowered by the Holy Spirit can accomplish God’s redemptive plan.
Verse 7, 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,
What is Peter saying with this phrase, Genuineness of your faith? What is the difference between “genuineness” and just having faith? Many profess Jesus as their savior and are trusting to go to heaven. Is there something deeper here? Something that is more significant than having a home in heaven. I believe there is. I believe that genuine faith is a “life-changing type of faith.” The kind of faith that moves heaven to respond to prayers and supplications made in the name of the Lord. Genuine Faith leads us through difficult circumstances. Genuine faith is steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the Lord type of faith. Genuine faith goes the distance. It crosses the finish line.
Peter says that this kind of faith has a value attached to it. It is more precious than gold. Even gold will perish my friend. It may have a high value in the world’s scheme of things. But even gold will become worthless. Like gold that does become purer in the fire, our faith is purified in the fires of testing trials. It produces “praise, honor, and glory” when Jesus returns.
There will be a day that our present testings’ will be seen for the value that God has assigned. Never forget that the trials and tribulations that we go through in Christ Jesus and as partakers of His sufferings will be remembered and be to the praise of our God. The scriptures tell us that “His reward is with Him.”
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last” (Revelation 22:12).
Verse 8 focuses our loyalty and commitment in the one “who having not seen you love.” Here is the mystical side of faith. It is faith in the One we have not seen with our natural eyes, but we know Him and trust Him. Peter continues in verse 8 saying, “Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory.” Faith is the function of “believing.” Believing is a continuing process. I believe that is my position, but I also live a life of “believing” which is a life of action and movement. It is a “continuance.” I have been living in this continuance for 65 years. From the day I gave my life to Christ until the present, every day has been a challenge and an adventure in moving forward in my faith. It has measurable experiences of miracles and unexplainable situations except through the understanding of the operation of faith.
I love Peter’s perspective as stated in verse 9, receiving the end of your faith — the salvation of your souls. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus. I am so glad to know that there is an ending of our faith in the complete working out of our salvation. We are saved, we are being saved, and we will yet be saved. We have received eternal life, but day by day we receive His life which sustains us in the journey of faith as we move forward toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Our faith leads to the salvation of our souls when the end comes at the last day when we shall see Him face to face.
In our next lesson, we will consider how the prophets of old inquired and searched carefully about this grace we have received. The time that these things would be, the Spirit of Christ in them indicating, the sufferings and the glories that would follow.
