A Genuine Faith that is Imperishable
In my last Blog, we looked at the first of four reasons the Christian can be assured of his eternal salvation, an imperishable inheritance. The second is the Christians’ proven faith.
“In this you rejoice, although now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” (1Peter 1:7)
Here Peter is not just speaking of any old faith, as some might say, flippantly, “I believe in God” with no more love and commitment than they might say, “I believe in dirt.” Here Peter is speaking about the quality of a faith that stands under persecutions, trials, disappointments, and all manner of spiritual warfare and yet perseveres. The God who gives faith as a gift, “who caused us to be born again” (verse 3), makes the stability of such a faith possible.
The faith of a born again believer is described in verse 8, “Whom having not seen, you love; in whom, though now you see him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” Such a faith is contrary to the world’s hypocritical religions that are filled with people who say they believe in God but deny Him by worshipping false gods.
The state of those who are not born again is revealed in (Romans 8:6-7), “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Man by his own efforts is unable and unwilling to trust God and persevere in faith to the saving of his soul, “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (1Peter 1:9).
The Christian can rest secure in God who gives him a faith that will not fail; hence, he will not perish!
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