The Genuineness Of Your Faith: Tested By Fire

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a

little longer, 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 you souls.

1Peter 1:6–9

            Have you been grieved because of your faith? Have others teased and taunted you in some way due to your stand for the truth of God’s word? Are or have you undergone various trials, some hard to understand as to why they have happened? These things will occur in this life, especially for those who are living according to the will of God. This is doing the one thing that is important to you; it is testing and refining the genuineness of your faith. Faith is most necessary, not only in life, more importantly it is most necessary if we are to love and believe God. Faith towards the unseen God having to undergo testing due to the sin of the world and the original sin those plagues that plague all people, it is a faith not measured for it is more precious than gold for this faith never perishes. This faith is praiseworthy to God and brings honor and glory to our Savior Jesus Christ. No, you have not seen Jesus Christ, yet you believe and you rejoice with inexpressible joy for you are full of glory for you know the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls and that salvation is eternal and you have eternal life, now and after the return for His bride, Jesus Christ, at His second coming. It then our responsibility, that is our accountability by God to live as what we are; children of God, saved, and have the Holy Spirit to be with us in all and various trials that may come our way. It is not easy! It is hard! This requires that we take action for our lives: “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’: (1Peter 1:13–16; cf. Leviticus 11:44–45). Think on this: God poured out the life of His Son, that you might be save; are you willing to pour out our life for Him? It is not our success or our knowledge that makes cause for God to love us, to save us; no, God’s purpose is to make us like His Son, Jesus Christ. We are children of God and we are to be rivers of living water that flows from us into the world. God chose you, you are elected by God according to His will and purpose: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1Peter 2:9). We are then to study His word, and then apply His word to our lives and as we grow in knowledge that which we have added to our virtue: “But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to you faith virtue, to virtue knowledge” (2Peter 1:5). We grow in sanctification, and our faith is grows more, and more, sure and our election assured: “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble” (2Peter 1:10).

            As was stated: God does not save us, by means of our knowledge. Salvation comes to us by God and by His election, that election that has not antecedent from us to make any cause for God to save us. God chose, God made His decision before time, before creation, and His decision stands and no one can take His chosen from Him. Yet, we must study to show ourselves approved workers, for God and by our study, we come to know the truth, and we know false teaching. We then are prepared to answer the question that you may have had or do have and to be the witness for the Gospel. Allow me to once again set forth the rules for us to receive correct interpretation of the Scriptures: Scripture must interpret Scripture. We are not to take one part of the bible, and much less one or a few passages by themselves: they are used as proof texts when they may not correspond to the context: Second rule: Context, context, context.

            We are studying the Scriptures about the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God is equally prominent in all parts of God’s word, both the Old and the New Testaments. The Holy Spirit is represented everywhere in the Bible and is present and operative everywhere. We must look at this subject; the Holy Spirit, and analyze the multiple and interesting relation by which He is represented as standing to the people of God; His importance and number of His gifts. We must come to understand the importance of the Holy Spirit and the absolute dependence of the believer and the Church upon Him for spiritual guidance and eternal life. The Holy Spirit is a fundamental doctrine of the gospel. The work of the Holy Spirit in applying the redemption of Jesus Christ is He is essential to the redemption. Therefore, it is indispensable that we should know what the Bible teaches concerning the Holy Spirit; both as to His nature and His office.

            This I will continue as I examine and report on this doctrine.

But whoever keeps His word,

            Truly the love of God

Is perfected in him. By this we

            Know that we are in Him.

                                    1John 2:5

Be a witness for Jesus in all you do

Richard L. Crumb