1 Peter 1:6-9. 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
What testing are you experiencing today? What fiery trial are you walking through? How have you been responding to it? What meaning have you assigned to your trial?
Obviously, these are big questions. Difficult questions. So difficult that we usually don’t even bother trying to ask or answer them. Often when it comes to our suffering we try to simply minimize it and brush it away. We believe stoicism is godly so we push our sorrow deeper and deeper inside, hiding it from God and others. Or we might think authenticity is more godly, so in order to be “real” we wear our sorrow on our sleeve, constantly letting everyone know how terrible our life is.
But all of this is a million miles away from the response Peter is asking from those of us with a living hope – rejoice.
Rejoice in suffering?
Yes. But not rejoice BECAUSE of suffering. Suffering is not a joyous thing. We must never call what is evil, good. So like Jesus in the garden we ask for suffering to be taken away. But also like Jesus we face suffering with courage because of the joy set before us (Heb. 12:1-2). There is joyous salvation awaiting us, but it is only obtainable through suffering.
Remember Jesus could only save us through his suffering and death on the cross. His covenant faithfulness had to be proven for our sakes. So too, in Christ, we can only be saved through our shared suffering with him. Why? Because our faith must also be tested as genuine. Jesus’ faith had to be proven through his trial. He was “made perfect” in his suffering (Heb. 2:10). It is the faithfulness of Jesus that saves us. Faithfulness that went all the way to the cross for us. And now it is our faithfulness to the end that will save us.
But remember that our faithfulness is guaranteed by God’s gracious salvation. Guaranteed by our living hope in Christ. Yes, our faith must be proven genuine, and yet, because we are in Christ, the outcome of our faith is guaranteed. We cannot fail any more than Jesus himself has failed.
So now let’s do what would never come naturally, only supernaturally – rejoice with a joy that is inexpressible and full of glory in our suffering. Rejoice in knowing that your faith will be proven genuine. Rejoice in knowing that your suffering is necessary (not arbitrary or meaningless) for your salvation. Rejoice in knowing that your suffering is so short (for a little while)compared to eternal glory. Rejoice in knowing that your faithful suffering is taking you toward the ultimate goal – the salvation of your soul. Rejoice in knowing that your suffering will result in your praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The Jesus who loves you will place the crown on your head, honoring you like you’ve never been honored before. Oh what a day that will be.
Finally, rejoice in knowing that even though you don’t see him, you love Jesus. When your suffering makes you feel dead inside, let Jesus’ faithful love for you stir up your faithful love for him. Don’t desperately search for your love for him. Seek first his love for you. Then you might just find that you share that love, and you’ll know that to live is Christ.
You: in what way are you suffering today?
You in Christ: How does knowing that you are in Christ help you suffer faithfully?
Christ in you: How can you rejoice in (not because of) your suffering today?
To Live is Christ 