Tested By Fire

1 PETER 1:6-7 “…even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [your] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

If you are reading this right now you may have at one time or another felt as if your faith was being tested. You may very well be in that season right now. In the above scripture, Peter is comparing the testing of our faith like that of gold. Gold as precious and valuable as it is, is tested and purified by fire. The word fire in this scripture refers to a purifying agent capable of testing the quality of one’s life and works. Our faith being of more value and even more precious than gold must be tested by fire as well to purify and perfect it. The bible says for without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). We need faith in order to obtain the promises of God and to please God. So, our faith must be perfected and the only way to perfect it is to test us. There may be moments where you feel as though God has forgotten about you. No matter how much you pray and fast, still no answer. You may be doing all that you know to do to be faithful but still no answer or even a sign from God…just silence. Temptation and hardship seem to be everywhere you turn. If you are there, my friend you are being tested.

Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him (James 1:12). God Himself calls us blessed as we endure the various trials that He allows in our lives. In times of trial we are to trust in Him with all our hearts, lean on Him, and not our own understanding. We are to go through asking, “Lord what would you have me to learn from this? How would you have me to respond to this test? What does the Word of God say?”

Yes, it’s hard and no it’s not pleasant. However, the testing of our faith and the trials that God allows in our lives help us to grow up spiritually. Will you give up and throw in the towel? Will you turn away and stop being faithful? We are to be instant in season and out of season (2 Tim. 4:2). Whether our circumstances are to our liking or not, whether God is silent or not, whether we feel like it or not, we are to remain steadfast. Go wants us to endure patiently under tests and trials. No, this is never easy as it feels unfair and unwarranted. As we often think to ourselves, “Why should I, a faithful servant of the Lord be going through trials and tribulations? Why does my life have to be inconvenienced, aren’t I doing my part God? Why do I have to endure such trying times?” Yet, the bible declares that all things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). The tests and trials that we go through are working on our behalf to make us wiser, stronger and more confident in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are to count it all joy when we fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2). So instead of being bitter, angry, and fainting in our hearts we are to respond to each trial with joy. I know that sounds like a paradox but I’m reminded of Paul when he boasted of his sufferings for Christ (Read 2 Corinthians 11:16-33).

As believers we choose to trust God in every situation.  We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:3-5). The amplified version says, “And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation].  Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Be encouraged as you endure whatever situations the Lord allows in your life. Pass the test. Please don’t continue going around the same mountain for years, never fully understanding what the Lord is teaching you. Allow the fire to perfect your faith and purify you. After you have done all, you stand and keep standing. Then, when it’s all over you can say like Job, “But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]” (Job 23:10).

Stay Encouraged & God Bless!

Compromise Is Not an Option

And [Potiphar] left all that he had in Joseph’s charge and paid no attention to anything he had except the food he ate. Now Joseph was an attractive person and fine-looking. Then after a time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “See here, with me in the house my master has concern about nothing; he has put all that he has in my care. He is not greater in this house than I am; nor has he kept anything from me except you, for you are his wife. How then can I do this great evil and sin against God?” Gen. 39:6-9

Compromise:  

1. An endangering, especially of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion, etc. “A compromise of one's integrity.”

2. Accept standards that are lower than is desirable. "We were not willing to compromise on God’s Word.”

As I have been thinking about what it means to compromise as a Christian, I thought about Joseph. Although a slave, he had obtained favor in the sight of his master, Potiphar. Certainly, that favor was a result of the favor of God on his life. I believe the favor of God and pleasing God was of the utmost importance to Joseph, more than anything. As I look at the situation in Genesis 39 with Potiphar’s wife, I don’t see anywhere in the bible where it says she was not attractive or Joseph was not attracted to her. She may have been an attractive woman and any slave may have fallen at her feet to have sex with her. Joseph may have thought she was attractive as well. However, none of this mattered to Joseph. His priority, his main focus, his heart only cared about doing right in the sight of God. He refused to compromise and do “this great evil and sin against God.” The next verse says, “And so it was that she spoke to Joseph [persistently] day after day, but he did not listen to her [plea] to lie beside her or be with her.” (Gen 39:10). Can you imagine this type of temptation? This was a grown man being tempted every day to sleep with a grown woman. But, Joseph’s heart was fixed on pleasing the Lord. He was a man of integrity not willing to compromise at all.

Most of the time it’s easier to do the wrong thing than to do the right thing. However, the bible says, “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…” (Heb. 10:26). The word that sticks out to me here is deliberately. This means on purpose. It means you just do what you want and live how you want despite knowing the truth of God’s precepts. Make no mistake about it, we can’t fool God. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked [He will not allow Himself to be ridiculed, nor treated with contempt nor allow His precepts to be scornfully set aside]; for whatever a man sows, this and this only is what he will reap” (Gal. 6:7).

I just want to encourage you today to be steadfast in your faith in Jesus Christ. Remain steadfast and stand on the promises of God. Despite of what tests and trials come your way, remain faithful to Him. Don’t move to the left or to the right, but be still and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10). Set your heart on pleasing the Lord. Make that your main priority. “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also” (Matt 6:33). So, whatever it is that you need God will supply it and you won’t have to compromise to get it. Don’t allow your tests and trials to pressure you into compromising. But, let your tests and trials press you into His presence.

God wants us to live holy not only in public but in private. He wants us to have integrity not only in public but in private. Our private lives should be free of compromise as well. I’m convinced, that our Father who sees in secret will Himself reward us openly (Matt 6:4). Therefore, be encouraged to fight the good fight of faith so on that day you may hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

Be Blessed!

A.M.