LEARNING DAILY

 

1 Peter 1:7-8, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it be tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith – the salvation of your souls.

 

You have heard the expression, “seeing is believing”; you may have even said this at some time. You have also heard the expression “believing is seeing” in regard to the Christian’s walk of faith. The latter phrase is a great statement about our faith in Jesus Christ; we have not seen Him but we believe in what He has done for us and His daily provision for each of His followers. It is because of this belief that you and I are called to rejoice in the trials we face and remain faithful to Him and His Word as we go through them.

 

I have watched people, especially my family, as they go through various trials. I am always interested in how they deal with those circumstances that do not go the way that they (we) want them to go. Will they quit and pursue something different? Or will they persevere and push through to the end? If they persevere, will it be done in the way that honors the Lord? Christians face adversity in a different way than unbelievers. Christians realize that these difficulties may be difficult but are not lasting. Joy in the Lord is more of a central issue. Remaining faithful to Jesus Christ in the midst of the difficulties tends to purify faith and results in praise, glory, and honor to both us and the Lord; He must think of our perseverance and our faith during trials as precious to Him. We have not seen Him but we honor and glorify Him and He will reward our faith with the “salvation of our souls”.

 

It is important to know and remember that “the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes” is the ultimate goal as we walk the narrow way into eternity in God’s kingdom. I have written this often; remember that the narrow way is difficult. As we walk this narrow way, we can anticipate situations that not only test but refine our faith. Because of that we can anticipate the Lord’s approval or praise from heaven (think of Stephen in Acts 6 and 7) and our faith becoming stronger as a result of enduring trials.

 

Have you considered your faith being greater than those who saw and heard Jesus in person when He was walking this earth? Have you considered your belief in, love for and dedication to Him, even though you have never seen Him? In John 20:29, Jesus said to Thomas, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believed.”  Thomas believed because he saw Jesus, walked with Him, and heard what He said. You and I can have as much confidence that Jesus is who He said He is and believe in His saving grace just like those who saw Him and walked with Him.

 

You and I are truly blessed! Walk in faith and trust in Him who loves you and sees what you are walking through. He will see us through to His Kingdom.