Suffering Now, Glory Later
Download MP3I. The Reality of Trials
- Trials are inevitable. Every Christian will meet with various kinds of trials.
- The trials referred to are broad, including difficulties of all kinds, suffering, tribulation, persecution, and difficulties related to attachment to Jesus Christ.
- Peter is realistic about the present Christian experience, noting that life is difficult and marked by trials, even though glory is coming.
- Christian trials are a feature, not a bug, in the system; they are normal Christian experience.
- Trials are expected to grieve believers, and it is acceptable to sorrow or be in heaviness.
- The Contrast: Glory vs. Trial
- The coming inheritance (glory) is described as imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.
- Current trials are described as being "for a little while". When basking in coming glory, present trials will seem light, momentary, fleeting, and ephemeral, like "mist that vanishes at dawn".
- Trials are Necessary
- The phrase "if necessary" means that trials are deemed necessary by God for Christians.
- No Christian ever suffers without a need be; trials are not accidental or random, but determined by the "all good, all seeing, all sovereign God".
- If the believer knew all that God knew, they would ask for the trial, seeing it as necessary.
II. The Reason for Trials
- The reason for trials is introduced by the Greek word ἵνα ("so that," "in order that").
- Purpose: Why these trials? So that the believer's faith may be refined and proven, resulting in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- This testing is not designed to expose believers as false, but is a refining process that makes the faith "more pure".
- Refining is compared to refining gold by fire, burning away the dross to prove the authenticity and value of what is already good and true.
- Trials are sent to grow, mature, and refine faith, leading to greater maturity and a richer, deeper faith.
- God is glorified by mature faith that is steadfast and refined through suffering.
- Tested faith (which is genuine faith) is proven faith, and it will result in praise and honor and glory.
- The result—praise, honor, and glory—may refer to the reward coming for the saints, but it also belongs to Christ, as tested faith shows Him to be superlatively valuable.
III. Our Rejoicing in Trials
- Rejoicing is a present experience ("You rejoice now").
- Joy may exist simultaneously alongside grief and sorrow ("sorrowful, yet always rejoicing").
- The Source of Joy ("In this, you rejoice"): The cause for rejoicing is that the believer is saved, born again to a living hope, has an imperishable inheritance, and that God is theirs.
- The Nature of the Relationship with Christ: Believers love and believe in Jesus even though they do not now see him. This living, vital, and active relationship enables perseverance and magnifies joy.
- This results in a joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.
- Obtaining Salvation: By persevering through trial and trusting in Christ, believers are obtaining the outcome of their faith, the salvation of their souls. This is viewed as a present process of saving that is happening as they trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.
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