This May Hurt a Little

Read 1 Peter 1:1–2:10

4. We have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
5. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
6. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.
7. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:4-7

Few things are more frustrating than buying “quality” merchandise that falls apart as soon as you take it out of the box. Then you look inside the box and find a small slip of paper that reads: “Inspected by Number 45.” Apparently, your merchandise had not been inspected closely enough. A few seconds of mild abuse by Number 45 probably would have shown this merchandise for what it was, and spared you the disappointment.

In Peter’s first letter, he warns and encourages us about disappointments—how we can approach them, live through them, and be strengthened by them. They are tests or, if you will, inspections of God’s merchandise—us.

Notice also in this passage a living hope, hints at what angels long to see, and the high standards for those whose faith has been tested and strengthened.

Peter wrote of suffering several times in this letter (1 Peter 1:6-7; 3:13-17; 4:12-19; 5:9). His readers needed this discussion of trials because non-Christians misunderstood, harassed, and even physically abused Christians. Some of the opposition came from government officials, some from non-Christian individuals, and some from family members. To those abused and aching Christians, Peter wrote: “Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while” (1:6).

Christians are not of this world—our goals, values, and allegiance contrast and clash with society’s. Thus, eventually, all believers will face trials of rejection because of their choice to follow Christ.

Accept rejection and suffering for your faith as a test. God will purify and refine you through your trials.