In chapter one, verses 6-9 of his first letter, the Apostle Peter writes:
“Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been put to grief in various trials, that the proof of your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ—whom not having known [NIV, “though you have not seen him”] you love; in whom, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory—receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
Peter compares the faith of a Christian to gold. “… your faith, which is more precious than gold that perishes even though it is tested by fire…” (1:7) In some ways faith and gold are similar. Both are precious, though Peter points out that of the two faith is the more valuable. Gold is a measure of material wealth, while faith is a measure of spiritual wealth. There are also differences between faith and gold. Only a few posses gold. Faith is available to everyone. Someone can steal your gold, but no one can steal your faith. This is one reason that faith is more valuable than gold.
The worth of both gold and faith is determined by how pure or genuine they are. Gold is refined by fire. Peter indicates that one of the purposes of suffering is to refine our faith or to prove whether our faith is genuine. This refining or proving of faith is one reason that a Christian can praise God in the midst of suffering. How tragic it would be for someone to live all of his life without realizing that his faith was not genuine! But God allows the Christian to suffer so that he can prove the quality of his own faith; to see where it is weak and where it needs to be strengthened.
Peter writes that our faith will “…result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ…” (1:7) We normally think of giving praise, glory and honor only to God. But Peter makes it clear to the people to whom he is writing that they also will receive praise, glory and honor when Jesus returns. The writer of the book of Hebrews likens the life of a Christian to a race that takes place before a vast audience. “Therefore let us also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him who has endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, that you don’t grow weary, fainting in your souls.” (Hebrews 12:1-3) Though the Christian may have to suffer like Jesus in this life, he can also look forward to the same kind of reward that Jesus received.
Christianity is unique among religions in that it is not based on rules, but rather on a person’s relationship to Christ. The apostle Paul writes about the futility of any system based on rules. In Colossians 2:20-23 he says, “If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, “Don’t handle, nor taste, nor touch” (all of which perish with use), according to the precepts and doctrines of men? Which things indeed appear like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but aren’t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.” On the other hand, Peter tells us the basis for Christian morality when he writes, “Though you have not seen him, you love him…” (1:8, NIV) The more we understand what Jesus has done, and is doing for us, the greater our love for Him will become. The Apostle John wrote, “We love him, because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19) It is this love, rather than a set of rules, which compels a Christian to do what is right. As the Apostle Paul points out in Romans 13:9-10, “For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not give false testimony,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.” Each one of us needs to ask ourselves whether we act righteously because we are trying to keep a set of rules, or whether we are motivated by love for Christ.
In his next phrase Peter writes, “…though now you don’t see him, yet believing…” (1:8) With these words Peter recalls the words that Jesus spoke to the Apostle Thomas, “…Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen, and have believed.” (John 20:29) No, we cannot see Jesus because He is with God in heaven. But if we believe in Him, we are blessed even though we may have to suffer grief. Peter’s words also look toward the future. We cannot see Jesus now, but a time is coming when we will see Him. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 says, “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
It is because of this belief, Peter says to all those who follow Christ, that you “…rejoice greatly with joy unspeakable and full of glory—receiving the result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1:9) Only love for, and faith in Jesus Christ will bring this joy.
In the first nine verses of his first letter Peter has told us why the followers of Christ can rejoice even while suffering. It is because of God’s mercy, the living hope He gives, the new birth Christians have received, the inheritance that is waiting for them, salvation, that they are protected by faith, that suffering lasts only a little while, that their faith is being proved genuine and that their faith will result in praise, glory and honor. Peter goes on to discuss how the prophets investigated God’s promises.