If Your Faith Is Becoming Stronger, That Is Probably Because It Is Being Tested and Purified
Bankers and those working in certain financial institutions and organisations may do all they can to ruin people's inheritances, but they cannot touch this one! Peter in his first letter writes about that inheritance which is reserved for those who belong to Jesus Christ and who have been born again, and who remain disciples of Jesus Christ.
Do take time to read the letters which Peter wrote under the inspiration of Almighty God.
Peter writes with profound significance, that this inheritance is reserved for you, and it is safe in heaven, in a room with the disciple's name on it, and one day God will bring you and it together.
A place is reserved, and it is a living hope, and Jesus spoke about this in John Chapter 14.
This reward or inheritance from Jesus Christ can never perish, or spoil, or fade away, or vanish.
And, Peter does not stop there but explains how you are shielded so that you will not fade away either, and you will do so through faith and through obedience.
You are shielded by the power of God.
We need to know that when sin is raging and when temptation is real.
Peter then goes on to describe that if you have a living hope, you also have the blessing of a tested faith.
Peter appears to pile up phrase after phrase and blessing after blessing.
Why people do not take advantage of all this baffles me.
The faith you have is going to be tested, and they knew the reality of all that under the Emperor Nero.
There may come times when faith will wobble or totter, when you may ask how can you go on believing and obeying? Peter's whole theme to these scattered aliens and strangers was, keep on going, continue, and do not give in nor give up.
We are chosen by God the Father, and washed by Jesus Christ, the Son, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
This is the crux and heart of the Christian Faith, and Peter is a man who has a genuine and sincere experience.
All this was so real to Peter, and can be so real to every disciple of Jesus Christ.
Faith is like gold, and fire makes it purer and finer.
If your faith is strong, it is only because it has been tested.
If your faith is becoming stronger, that is because it is being tested.
It is being tried and tested, to purify it, and to strengthen it.
Your faith, your belief in Christ, your obedience has survived, but he goes further and says, no, it is even more than that! It has thrived.
It has grown and developed and matured.
Through all the trials and troubles God has been hanging on to you, even when you did not know it.
Has that not been the experience of thousands down through the ages and it is only when they look back that they understand something more or the mystery of faith in the living Lord Jesus Christ and Almighty God.
And values change too when we have real vital vivid faith in Jesus.
When the Titanic went down, one very wealthy lady went back to her cabin for oranges, and forgot all about her jewellery.
Faith is more precious than gold and jewels.
When we go through persecution and trial and tribulation and suffering because we belong to Jesus Christ, if we keep on, and continue faithful, it will bring praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ returns.
Sandy Shaw
Do take time to read the letters which Peter wrote under the inspiration of Almighty God.
Peter writes with profound significance, that this inheritance is reserved for you, and it is safe in heaven, in a room with the disciple's name on it, and one day God will bring you and it together.
A place is reserved, and it is a living hope, and Jesus spoke about this in John Chapter 14.
This reward or inheritance from Jesus Christ can never perish, or spoil, or fade away, or vanish.
And, Peter does not stop there but explains how you are shielded so that you will not fade away either, and you will do so through faith and through obedience.
You are shielded by the power of God.
We need to know that when sin is raging and when temptation is real.
Peter then goes on to describe that if you have a living hope, you also have the blessing of a tested faith.
Peter appears to pile up phrase after phrase and blessing after blessing.
Why people do not take advantage of all this baffles me.
The faith you have is going to be tested, and they knew the reality of all that under the Emperor Nero.
There may come times when faith will wobble or totter, when you may ask how can you go on believing and obeying? Peter's whole theme to these scattered aliens and strangers was, keep on going, continue, and do not give in nor give up.
We are chosen by God the Father, and washed by Jesus Christ, the Son, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
This is the crux and heart of the Christian Faith, and Peter is a man who has a genuine and sincere experience.
All this was so real to Peter, and can be so real to every disciple of Jesus Christ.
Faith is like gold, and fire makes it purer and finer.
If your faith is strong, it is only because it has been tested.
If your faith is becoming stronger, that is because it is being tested.
It is being tried and tested, to purify it, and to strengthen it.
Your faith, your belief in Christ, your obedience has survived, but he goes further and says, no, it is even more than that! It has thrived.
It has grown and developed and matured.
Through all the trials and troubles God has been hanging on to you, even when you did not know it.
Has that not been the experience of thousands down through the ages and it is only when they look back that they understand something more or the mystery of faith in the living Lord Jesus Christ and Almighty God.
And values change too when we have real vital vivid faith in Jesus.
When the Titanic went down, one very wealthy lady went back to her cabin for oranges, and forgot all about her jewellery.
Faith is more precious than gold and jewels.
When we go through persecution and trial and tribulation and suffering because we belong to Jesus Christ, if we keep on, and continue faithful, it will bring praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ returns.
Sandy Shaw
Source...