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Believers can be encouraged when facing trials knowing that faith is strengthened in difficult times.
6 You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time,
if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials
7 so that the proven character of your faith-more valuable than gold
which, though perishable, is refined by fire-
may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
8 Though you have not seen him, you love him;
though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy,9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
The greater context of persecution and suffering for one’s faith speaks volumes about what ultimately drives us to worship God.
It is not our circumstances or our emotions, though those things certainly play a part.
Ultimately, who God is and what He has done through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus lead us to praise Him.
Peter used gold as an illustration to explain what his readers were experiencing with God.
Suffering for one’s faith strengthens and validates one’s faith.
Such an approved faith is extremely valuable in the same way that gold is extremely valuable.
Of course, such a faith is more valuable than any material riches given its eternal and holy nature.
But it is like gold in that genuine faith is refined through the fire of suffering.
It is understandable that believers would not willingly choose to suffer;
but we can recognize that suffering for the sake of the faith simultaneously validates and refines our faith.
Peter provided encouragement to his readers by assessing their faith journey with Christ.
Discuss the basis for their rejoicing even in times of trials.
Emphasize that they loved Jesus and believed in Him, even though they had never seen Him physically.
Peter’s readers were receiving the goal of their faith: salvation.
He also reminded the persecuted believers that the prophets of old had prepared them for the coming of Jesus.