Faith That Will Not Let Go

Introduction: 
How strong is your faith?
How secure is your faith?
How settled is your faith?
How serious is your faith?

Granted, our FAITH in Jesus will be TESTED! In fact, that is how our Lord grows our TRUST and DEPENDENCY upon Him. Are you suffering hardship? Persecution? Temptations? Peter whose FAITH in Jesus was sifted (Luke 22:30,31), but became secure writes the following:

“5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” (1Pet 1:5,6,7)

A daily devotion a day may keep the devil away! Several thoughts about this passage:
 

1. It is God’s POWER that keeps us through the vehicle of FAITH!

“5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1Pet 1:5)

The word “kept” is φρουρέω,(froo-reh’-o), which means to guard, keep, as by a military guard.

The word “revealed” is ἀποκαλύπτω,(ap-ok-al-oop’-to), which means to uncover, bring to light, reveal.

It is great to know we are being guarded by the Lord as we exercise FAITH in His WORD!
 

2. There are seasons of “heaviness”!

“6Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.”(1Pet 1:6)

The word “heaviness” is λυπέω: (loo-peh’-o), which means pain, grieve, vex.
The word “temptations” is πειρασμός, (pi-ras-mos’), which means trial, probation, testing, being tried, temptation, calamity, affliction.
Peter is reminding us that there are seasons or times of testing….our faith.
 

3. Like gold that is tested our FAITH in Jesus will be tested but ultimately will be proven as it passes through the crucible!

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” (1Pet 1:7)

When our FAITH has gone through the fires and has been refined, our Lord is glorified!
 
Conclusion: Where is your FAITH in Jesus being put to the test? Remember: It is only for a season. And when it has been approved, the Lord will be glorified as we are purified.
 
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese