A Genuine Gold Ring

544.  "A Genuine Gold Ring"                      June 20, 2012
1 Peter 1-Part 4
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 honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 1:7

LET IT GO

When we see Jesus Christ, we will bring "praise and honor and glory" to Him if we have been faithful in the sufferings of this life (Rom. 8:17-18). This explains why Peter associated rejoicing with suffering. While we may not be able to rejoice as we look around, in our trials, we can rejoice as we look ahead. (Wiersbe)

The revelation or unveiling (appearing) of Christ refers to His Second Coming, particularlly focusing on the time when He comes to call and reward His redeemed people, the rapture (1Thess. 4:13-18).
(MacArthur)

Won't it be worth it after all when we see Jesus?

The purpose toward which this command of praise is directed is that the approved character of our faith might result in praise, glory, and honor for us in that day in which Christ is revealed. (Falwell)

If it is so, I'm sure we will lay our crowns at our Wonderful Savior's feet.

LET IT GROW

I remember the day we drove for an hour to my uncle's small jewelry shop. We were looking for my engagement/wedding rings. We spent time looking at a variety of rings. I wanted a simple, small setting (diamond) since my fingers were small and our budget was too. Then we had to decide if it was to be made of silver or gold. I chose a genuine gold ring, which lasts a long time. I still have that ring, 40 years later, stored in my jewelry box. ( I wear a fancier one with more and larger diamonds.) Gold is a precious metal in our world, very costly. Peter mentions about it's process to get to be precious.

Warren Wiersbe, in his book  on 1 Peter called Be Hopeful explained the process:

In our key verse, Peter mentions the goldsmith. No goldsmith would deliberately waste the precious ore. He would put it into the smelting furnace long enough to remove the cheap impurities; then he would pour it out and make from it a beautiful article of value. It has been said that the Eastern goldsmith kept the metal in the furnace until he could see his face reflected in it. so our Lord keeps us in the furnace of suffering until we reflect the glory and beauty of Jesus Christ.

Just as the gold is tested to see if it is pure or counterfeit, so the trials of life test our faith to prove its sincerity.
God's purpose in allowing trouble is to test the reality of one's faith. But the benefit of such a testing, or "fire," is immediately for the Christian, not God. When a believer comes through a trial still trusting the Lord, he is assured that his faith is genuine. (MacArthur)

If gold, which is one of the most valuable and durable maaterials, is fit to be tested by fire, so must our faith be.

Now, I think the important thing isn't to focus on  the fire, trial or troubles, but to stay focused on Jesus, keeping our faith strong in Him as our faith is purified. A person with genuine faith will come out of the fire shining like Jesus, the precious object of our life.

this reminds me of the threee Hebrew boys put into the firey furnace because they would not bow down to the king's idol. Jesus was with them in the fire, so the didn't burn up. Their hair wasn't even singed nor did they smell like smoke. What a miracle! Can't He do the same for us? Can't our faith survive the fire of testing?

LET IT GO

Let go of the impurities in my life.

Allow the fire of testing to purify my mind and heart.

Stay faithful to Jesus.

Let Jesus shine in me. 

Give praise, honor, and glory to King Jesus for seeing me through or delivering me from the fire.