Is That Really Necessary? | March 31, 2020

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

1 Peter 1:6b-7

We ask this question of those causing us some amount of frustration, difficulty, or pain. When we think about the trials we face in life, we may want to direct that same question towards God. Is that really necessary, Lord? Peter, a man who went through some trials of his own, would say, “Yes, they absolutely are.”

Why does God allow us to suffer? Why does he allow us to experience long seasons of pain and struggle? There are a variety of answers to that question, some answers he reveals to us, others he keeps to himself. But verse 7 shows us one of the most important reasons: to test the authenticity of the most precious thing in our life--our faith. 

Fraudulent Faith? 

We are a people who prize authenticity or realness. Some of us had to face the social pain of wearing Adidas shoes to school with 4 stripes, a sure sign of fraudulence compared to the authentic 3 stripe sneakers. We recoil at the thought of people being “fake” or “posing” as something they are not. Yet, has it ever crossed your mind that there is a kind of faith in Christ that is not authentic? To even call someone's faith into question seems pharisaical or elitist. However, Peter says that the “genuineness” or “authenticity” of our faith must at times be tested. 

So what does false faith look like? False faith looks good initially. It looks excitedly at all the benefits that following Jesus will offer. It offers loud declarations of allegiance to Jesus and his kingdom. It says, “Even if everyone else abandons you, I never will.” But when those initial benefits diminish, when that allegiance becomes costly, when abandoning him is the only way to avoid suffering, that initial faith is shown for what it really is: fraudulent. 

In short, fraudulent faith looks like it is all about Jesus, but really it is all about what Jesus can give. Fraudulent faith loves the gifts over the giver, and when the gifts stop coming, the faith stops trusting. 

Why are trials necessary?

Peter says they will show you the true nature of your faith. To serve Jesus when all is well is one thing, to serve him when absolutely nothing goes your way is quite another. Trials are things not going your way, and they reveal what master you truly serve. A puritan named Richard Sibbs put it like this:

“When two masters are parted, their servants are known by whom they serve, by following their own master. Blessed be God, in these times we enjoy both religion and world together, but if times of suffering should approach, then it would be known whose servants we really are.” 

Days of prosperity and peace put Christ and pleasure side by side. But when trials come, pleasure and Christ begin to separate. Which direction do we walk after? Do we turn our back on Christ in pursuit of personal pleasure? Or do we fix our eyes on Jesus, even in the midst of difficulty and say, “Lord, I’m hurting, and I don't understand, but I trust you.” 

Are trials really necessary?

Yes, because only through trials are we able to see the authenticity of our faith. 

God loves us enough to show us reality. He will put us through storms to allow us to see if our faith is fraudulent or authentic, and he does this because he cares for us. Consider the author of this letter. For the first 3 years of Peter’s faith journey, much of his faith was fraudulent. He was the loudest disciple, so confident that he was “all in for Jesus.” But when he stood in that courtyard and was interrogated by that servant girl, he was able to see reality. His faith was false, but Jesus didn't leave him there. He came back to Peter after a crisis of faith and restored him. 

Have you turned your back on Jesus in the midst of a trial? Did you walk out on him when things got hard? Perhaps this was a kind act of God to show you the true nature of your faith. The good news is he doesn't want to leave you there. Just like Peter, Jesus loves you, he will restore you, and he will build in you a true faith, which is more precious than gold. 

Lord Jesus, we hate the thought of trials, pain, and suffering. But we see in your word they are a vital part of our faith in you. We courageously ask that you would show us our true faith. Please don't let us step into eternity with a faith that looked good on the outside but was never truly tested. Build in us an authentic faith that doesn't buckle under the weight of trials. And when our faith is shaken, would you return us to the one who is unshakable. We know that at times we are faithless, but at every moment and in every situation you remain faithful.