![\"\"](\"\/Banner-MOG-60.gif\" "\\"Ministry")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
1 Peter 1:7<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n that the genuineness of your faith,<\/span><\/strong> being<\/span><\/em><\/strong> much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Truth to Learn<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Difficult times in our lives strengthen our faith which results in praise, honor, and glory to God.<\/p>\n Behind the Words<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The Greek word translated \u201cthat<\/span>\u201d is hina<\/span><\/em> which could be translated as \u201cwith the intent that …\u201d It is referring to \u201cvarious trials<\/span>.\u201d In other words, the intent of these trials is that our faith may result in praise, honor, and glory to God.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cgenuineness<\/span>\u201d is dokimion<\/span><\/em>, which is an expression of worth and is thus translated \u201cgenuineness\u201d or \u201cworthiness.\u201d It is related to the verb translated here as \u201ctested<\/span>.\u201d This verb is dokimadz\u014d<\/span><\/em>, which means \u201cto assay\u201d or \u201cto test for the purpose of finding value.\u201d This testing is not intended to find fault but to determine something\u2019s greatness.<\/p>\n \u201cMore precious<\/span>\u201d is the translation of the Greek word timi\u014dteron<\/span><\/em>, the comparative form of timeos<\/span><\/em>, which means \u201cvaluable, costly, or honored.\u201d Hence, the comparative means \u201cmore valuable\u201d or \u201cmore honored.\u201d<\/p>\n Meaning Explained<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Today\u2019s verse can be confusing if not analyzed carefully. Let\u2019s look at it phrase by phrase:<\/p>\n \u201cThat the genuineness of your faith<\/span><\/strong>\u201d – The intent of the various trials that we undergo is to assay, or evaluate our faith. It is an evaluation whose purpose is to determine the goodness, or value of our faith, not the badness or weakness of our faith.<\/p>\n \u201cbeing<\/span><\/em> much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire<\/span><\/strong>\u201d <\/span>– Peter is not saying that your faith is much more precious than gold (though that may well be true), rather he is saying that the genuineness of your faith<\/strong> is more precious. Peter is saying that God values a stronger, more genuine faith over a weak, ineffective faith.<\/p>\n But, why does Peter refer to Gold as perishable? Isn\u2019t gold a metal that doesn\u2019t corrode? Isn\u2019t it enduring? We have all heard the explanation of the golden ring in a wedding ceremony as a symbol of the eternal love that exists between Christ and His bride, the church. It is a \u201csymbol\u201d of this eternal love, it is not eternal itself. In fact, gold is a soft metal that wears away easily and which will disappear with the rest of creation at the end of time. The trial of our faith will produce eternal results and the genuineness of our faith can only be ascertained through trial.<\/p>\n \u201cmay be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ<\/strong>\u201d<\/span> – The reason for our rejoicing and the reason for the proving of our faith is that it might result in praise and honor and glory, not to us, but to the author and finisher of our faith when he comes back to claim us as His own.<\/p>\n Application<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Compare this with what James said about this very subject in James 1:2<\/span><\/strong>, \u201cMy brothers, count it all joy when you encounter various trials.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/em>We can count it all joy because we know that through these trials our faith is being purified, made stronger and more valuable. And, these trials will ultimately result in praise to God! After all, isn\u2019t that what we all want?<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2008 Will Krause. All rights reserved.<\/span><\/p>\n – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –<\/p>\n <\/span>If this message or this link was forwarded to you by a friend and you wish to receive future verses directly to your inbox, you can call the church phone (618) 614-3070 and leave a message telling us your name and e-mail address or you can send an e-mail to:![\"signature\"](\"..\/..\/signature.gif\")
<\/p>\n![\"e-mail](\"..\/..\/Will_e-mail.gif\")
<\/p>\n