AUTHENTICATED FAITH
- UnstoppableRevKev
- Aug 28
- 5 min read
📖Scripture: Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel. –Proverbs 25:7
🔎Reflection: For followers of Christ, suffering is to be expected. The biblical view of trials is not that they are interruptions to God’s plan, but part of it. Nothing is wasted in the economy of God; therefore, He uses the brokenness of this fallen world as His refining tool for our good and His glory. The biblical view of REJOICING isn’t that of the world… high-fives, endzone dances, and hangovers. To REJOICE means to lean into God’s polarizing, transformative, and redeeming grace - not because it’s enjoyable in the moment, but because it’s accomplishing what God desires.
In today’s passage (1 Pet 1:5-7), we read, "you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this, you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you have been grieved by various trials so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be authenticated in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
The Apostle Peter notes that just as gold is purified by fire, so faith is proven and authenticated as genuine through suffering. Counterfeit gospels promise success, prosperity, ease, and health in the here-and-now, but Christ promised a cross (Luke 9:23). Consider the biblical testimony of Scripture regarding suffering, trials, rejection, and turmoil:
John 16:33 - “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
Acts 14:22 - “They were strengthening the souls of the disciples and encouraging them to continue in the faith. ‘We must endure many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.”
Romans 5:3–5 - “Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”
Romans 8:17–18 - “And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him. I consider that our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed in us.”
2 Corinthians 4:17–18 - “For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Philippians 1:29 - “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.”
Philippians 3:10 - “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death.”
1 Thessalonians 3:3–4 - “so that none of you would be unsettled by these trials. For you know that we are destined for this. Indeed, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would suffer tribulation, and it came to pass, as you know.”
2 Timothy 3:12 - “Indeed, all who desire to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
Hebrews 12:6–7 - “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives. Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?”
James 1:2–4 - “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
1 Peter 2:20–21 - “But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps.”
1 Peter 4:12–13 - “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed at the revelation of His glory.”
1 Peter 5:10 - “And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you.”
Revelation 2:10 - “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
True Christianity neither seeks nor avoids suffering but rather interprets it through the lens of God’s sovereign purpose and grace. Faith without trials is nothing more than untested religious sentiment; tested faith is a refined and purified trust that clings to the WORD in and through trials, suffering, and tribulations. This does not diminish the grief but gives it eternal weight (2 Cor 4:17). The saints are able to rejoice (lean into God’s grace) not because suffering is enjoyable but because we know that it is producing what God desires in us: endurance, character, and hope (Rom 5:3–5). The byproduct of tested and authentic faith is not despair but the glory of God at the revelation of Christ Jesus.
🤺Action: Today’s testing and examination (2 Cor 13:5): How do I respond through challenges, trials, suffering, and tribulations? Do I grumble and doubt God’s goodness based on circumstances, or do I cling to Him in trust? Is my default response to withdraw from fellowship, withhold my firstfruits, and wander far from God?
Do trials and suffering expose anxiety, fear, anger, bitterness, and entitlement, or do they cause me to joy, like Habakkuk (3:17-18), in the blessed assurance that despite circumstances, “this momentary light afflictions producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.” Seek one tangible way this week to rejoice in suffering as an opportunity to authenticate your faith to the praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Christ Jesus.
🙏Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your refining fire. LORD Jesus, teach me to see trials through Your suffering at the Cross. LORD, help me to see tribulations as Your lovingkindness, stripping away idols and authenticating my faith, like the Apostle Paul, who sought to know You and to fellowship with You in suffering. Holy Spirit, please help me to fix my hope on Christ and His second coming, where His grace and glory triumph over grief! Amen!
Click the link for a short video version of today's devotional:
Blessings & love,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
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