“The genuineness of your faith” (1 Peter 1:7)

Faith untried may be a genuine faith, but if it’s untried, it will be a little faith, and it will remain small as long as it’s without trials. Gold was refined with fire to prove it’s worth, so the apostle Peter uses the word-picture, “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” (1 Peter 1:6-7).

The apostle James said, “the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:3-4). The Greek word translated “patience” means “stay under”, which for the Christian means “stay under the Lordship of Christ”. This is the test. If you stay submitted to Christ as He walks with you through the trial, you pass the test and become what Christ wants you to become - more mature IN Him, the desired “perfect work”. If you don’t stay submitted to the Lordship of Christ, you fail the test.

You can’t experience the power of Christ resting upon you unless you stay under His Lordship. His strength is perfected when you are weakest, but only if you stay submitted, and don’t run off or return to your flesh or your Old man (2 Corinthians 12:9).

If you’re young in the faith, don’t let this worry you. “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). The Greek word translated “bear it”, means “stay under”, which for the Christian means, “stay under the Lordship of Christ”.

Don’t go looking for trials…if you’re saved, they will come to you. Thank God for whatever grace He’s given you; praise Him for the sanctified confidence you’ve attained.

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