Young Adults' Group

The Testing Of Our Faith

by Pastor Mark
May 03, 2018

Understanding the trials of life

As we go through life, we may face all kinds of trials. These trials will test the kind of faith that we have. The Apostle Peter gave spiritual insights concerning the testing of life, “though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,” (1 Peter 1:6)

1. A necessity

Peter saw these trials as necessary for our faith. This is according to the Lord’s prerogative.

2. A short time

The trials of life may only last a while. Their duration would be short.

3. Grief

They can cause significant grief to us. It can be most challenging but not unbearable.

The trials of life are important for the testing of our faith. Let us grow in our understanding of these trials.

The purpose of the trials

“that the genuineness of your faith,…though it is tested by fire,” (1 Peter 1:7)

The word “that” (hina) is often used to denote purpose or result. The “hina” would indicate the focus of the passage. The focus is that the purpose of the trials would demonstrated the genuineness of faith.

The word “tested” in Greek here is “dokimazo” which means “to prove, to examine”. The testing of life is meant to prove one’s faith…that after being examined, it may be seen as approved by the Lord.

The word “genuineness” in Greek is “dokimion” which is the noun form of “dokimazo”.

The purpose of the trials of life is meant to test our faith and to prove that it is genuine. Let us ensure that our faith proves to be good and real.

The preciousness of our faith

“being much more precious than gold that perishes,” (1 Peter 1:7)

When we have a faith that is truly tested and genuine, how would we describe this faith?

The word “precious” in Greek is “timios” which means “valuable, honourable and precious”. The word is written as a comparative.

Peter made a comparison between our faith and gold. Gold is something most costly and valuable. It is most precious.

Yet, the genuineness of our faith is abundantly more precious than gold. It is of such great worth that the value of gold cannot be equated.

Let us be challenged to appreciate the worth of having a genuine faith that is able to withstand the trials of life. Let us be challenged to cultivate a faith that can be proven to be genuine. Let us be challenged to have a faith that is able to go through the testing of fire.

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