Faith's Test Results | April 2, 2020

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 1:7

If you could ask God one question, what would it be? 

This is a thought experiment people like to play. In fact, there are entire discussion boards online devoted to this question. 

Sometimes people will pose questions from a general curiosity about the world: What did they keep at Area 51? What would my dog say to me if he could speak? 

Others will ask philosophical questions: Why did you allow evil in the world? Why do bad things happen to good people?

People who have been through pain have questions like: Why did you allow that to happen to me? Perhaps from recent days we’d ask, Why did you allow coronavirus to spread? 

The last phrase in 1 Peter 1:7 describes the scenario posed in the question above. He describes the future day of the “revelation of Jesus Christ.” This is the moment when you and I will stand before the God of the universe and perhaps even have the opportunity to ask him a question. 

The surprising thing about this future moment is that in it, no one is asking questions. This is especially surprising given the fact that the people who are standing before him have been through some extremely painful experiences. Peter has just described people who have been grieved by (that is, given excessive and crushing sorrow) various trials. 

After going through so much difficulty, and then having the sovereign God of the universe revealed right before our eyes, we would take the opportunity to get some things sorted out. Why did you put me through that? Why did you take that away? Why did I have to experience so much pain? 

But that is not the result of “tested faith.” What is a person who has had their faith tested and purified preoccupied with at the revelation of Jesus Christ? Praise, glory, and honor to the King on his throne. 

True faith, tested faith, refined faith, looks like this: even in the midst of pain, Lord, you are worthy of my praise. I don't honor you because of what you do for me, I honor you because you are worthy. I don't glorify you for what I get from you, I glorify you because of who you are. This is what tested faith looks like. It looks like praising God simply because he is worthy of it even after experiencing excruciating pain. 

Does God have a purpose for the suffering we go through? Yes. Will we get answers to our big questions? Perhaps. But a person who sees Jesus Christ as he truly is (the most beautiful, exalted, glorious being in all the universe) isn't predominantly seeking answers; they are predominantly standing awestruck at the majesty of Jesus. 

Are you going through something difficult right now? Do you want to know why God is allowing this? Are you concerned about the future and how everything will play out? It's okay to feel that way and to desire to know what God is doing. But even while you wait for answers, there is an opportunity to worship. True faith worships God not because he always gives us answers, but because he is awesome. Where can you take time to worship right now, even in the midst of pain? 

It may be that giving “praise, glory, and honor” to Jesus during this trial is the very thing that carries you through it.