March 1, 2017 MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOAL
1 Peter 1:4-7: “to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than goal which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
I have never met anyone who enjoyed trials or difficulties. If not careful, the trials we experience will get our attention off of the glorious inheritance that is ours in Christ Jesus. God does have a grand plan for those who trust in Him, and what He has planned will come to pass. Those who belong to God are protected by the power of God through faith, and in fact, have a place reserved in heaven for them! God has revealed much to us concerning His kingdom, but we cannot fully comprehend what God has planned for us in heaven; our salvation is more glorious than we know. (Ephesians 1:9, 1 Corinthians 2:9) Our faith is the peg on which everything hangs. God has chosen to allow ‘various trials’ for the purpose of proving and testing our faith. God knows the degree of faith we have; the proof is that we and all others might know, and see our faith in action in the midst of the trials. God wants us to know that He is greater than our trials and that His power in us enables us to be overcomers in any situation. When our faith is tested-and it will be-and our faith remains strong in the midst of the trial, God is glorified and honored. Peter said that “if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials.” We are not destined to have trials on a continual basis, but only as God allows. The key point is that whatever God allows in my life, whether a trial or particular blessing, I can thank Him for it because He has a purpose in all that He allows to touch my life. Many view salvation as simply a ticket to heaven. This verse, and others, make it clear that we have an inheritance that will not fade away and is reserved for us in heaven. Again, since our faith is the means through which we will receive our inheritance, we can thank God for anything He does that proves and strengthens our faith. Some erroneously equate being a Christian to a life free of troubles. However, Jesus never promised that His followers would not be subject to trials, but that He would give them the power to overcome the trials and that He would use the trials for their good. The scriptures also promise rewards for those who overcome in life. As believers, we need to have ‘thick skin’ when it comes to keeping the course in the midst of the trials. Let our view of trials be that of 2 Corinthians 4:17: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that for outweighs them all.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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