Monday, May 5, 2014

Through the Fire


When I became a Christian I honestly thought everything would be great. People told me it would be the best decision I ever made. Not to mention that some people told me my problems would get better and while that was all true and God did deliver me from various sins in my life and restored my marriage. What people don’t tell you is the battle shifts especially when you’re a new believer. With the acceptance of Jesus as Your Lord and savior there are new attacks that you need to be prepared for. That the truth is too often we fail to prepare and support the new believer as they face them. Leaving them open to condemnation and distraction from the enemy which intern leads them back into their sinful nature and past. I have heard it said and probably even have thought it myself that life was simpler before I got saved. However, this is not a new struggle that believers face it has been around since the Apostles and each writer in the Bible address the issue at some point in time. Peter is no exception and we read about it hear in 1Peter 1:6-7;

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.  (ESV)

There are two parts to Peter’s Message here first is the fact that all believers at one point or time will be and are tested with trials. Just when you think everything is going great there will be a time of testing that God allows with one sole purpose and that is to test your faith in Him. Those times when you feel like God is not present in your situation are just opportunities for your faith to be tested. We see this throughout scripture both in the Old and New Testaments. One example can be found in 2 Chronicles 32:31;

31 And so in the matter of the envoys of the princes of Babylon, who had been sent to him to inquire about the sign that had been done in the land, God left him to himself, in order to test him and to know all that was in his heart. (ESV)

You know even Jesus experienced a time when God was far from Him. We know this from the author of Hebrews;

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15 (ESV)

While we are told this in Hebrews the Gospel writers also recorded these times of testing. The one most of us will recognize is found in Matthew 26:36-46 and Jesus prayer to in The Garden of Gethsemane. I just want to share a few verses of this passage;

42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.

Matthew 26:42-44 (ESV)

We also see this at the cross as Jesus cries out the passages of Psalm 22:

46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Matthew 27:46 (ESV)

If Jesus had times when God pulled away from Him to test His faith and we know and this to be true than we can expect and anticipate that time will come that each of us will also. However, Peter does not leave us in a state of worry about how long this will last he reassures us after the fire subsides we will be able to offer a greater praise for the faithfulness of God. So today if you are feeling a little like Johnny Cash and you feel like you have fallen into a blazing ring of fire, let me assure you it is to bring strength to you personally and honor and glory to God who is always able to save. Be blessed today as you walk in the light of God’s Word.