WHICH PATH?
- UnstoppableRevKev
- Sep 15
- 2 min read
📖Scripture: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you”1 Peter 4:12
🔎Reflection: Peter’s warning demolishes the self-centered lie that following Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, means guaranteed health, wealth, and comfort this side of heaven. From Eden onward, every human walks one of two paths: the path of the Serpent (Gen 3:15), the Devil (Rev 12:9), or the path of the Serpent Crusher, Christ Jesus (Rom 5:12-21).
God redeems all our trials, grief, and struggles… using them to expose which path we’re actually on. Abel identified with the Serpent Crusher; Cain with the Serpent (Gen 4). The same division ran through Noah’s generation (Gen 6-9), through Abraham and Babel (Gen 11-12), and even through the church today (Matt 7:13-14; John 15:18-20). When trials come, counterfeit faith—rooted in self-serving, consumer-minded, end-user counterfeit religion—collapses (Mark 4:16-17). But authentic faith, gifted by God, perseveres and flourishes (Jas 1:2-4).
The Apostle Peter reveals that this is far from strange, novel, foreign, new, or unique; fiery trials are a normal feature of this fallen and depraved world. They are God’s refining furnace, not Satan, who believes they serve his endgame, but God redeems all things for the good of those loving Him (Mal 3:2-3). They separate the sinful, self-indulgent weeds and chaff from the wheat of the saints who live to edify the local, and thus the everlasting, church (Heb 10:24-25).
🤺Action: Based on 2 Cor 13:5, ask the LORD to help you text and examine your objective and functional devotion and edification of Christ’s Body & Bride. Do your priorities, time, and affections reveal a life “gathering with Christ” (Luke 11:23), or one of self-indulgent scattering? Repent where the Holy Spirit convicts of embracing comfort, self-promotion, and sin instead of cross-bearing, Christ-revealing fellowship in the GOSPEL.
🙏Prayer: LORD Jesus, my faithful and gracious Creator, expose all my idols and counterfeit loyalties. Holy Spirit, redeem and sanctify my heart and worship so that it may be pleasing to my Father in heaven. Almighty God of Holy Trinity, I adore You for ordaining every trial for my good. Forgive my surprise at suffering. Please teach me to rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is Your will for me in Christ Jesus. Please give me the relentless desire and persevering strength to build up Christ’s church for your glory! -Amen.
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Blessings & love,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
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