Peter answers this in 1 Peter 1:6-7 and particularly in verse 7 with the words “SO THAT,” when he writes,

“In this you rejoice greatly, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,

SO THAT

the genuineness of your faith, which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [YOUR] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”- (1 Peter 1:6-7 Amplified Bible)

The words “SO THAT” give an explanation that from their trials God would bring forth a benefit from the trials they were suffering and going through… that they would know they have God’s ASSURANCE and that their faith was a genuine saving faith that they belonged to Him– and He would reward them at the revelation of Jesus Christ!

In 1 Peter 1:8 we read three things that characterised their lives. “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy.” These three characterized them LOVING Him, BELIEVING Him, and Greatly REJOICING in Him!  The testing of trials proved they belonged to Christ. They had saving Faith and they Had God’s Assurance they were His! These dear followers of Christ were experiencing, suffering, slander, slavery, ill-treatment, suffering “grieved” we read of in verse 6 which speaks of “mental anguish,” and yet we read of their consistent testimony…

“Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and though you do not even see Him now, you believe and trust in Him and you greatly rejoice and delight with inexpressible and glorious joy,

These three characterized them as LOVING Him, BELIEVING Him, and Greatly REJOICING in Him! The testing of trials proved they belonged to Christ. They had saving Faith and they Had God’s Assurance they were His!

“SO THAT the genuineness of your faith,

which is much more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested and purified by fire, may be found to result in [YOUR] praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”- (1 Peter 1:6-7 Amplified Bible)

Your faith has been tested, sorely at times and though it’s not perfection in your response your life shows a new direction and HABIT in loving, believing and rejoicing, delighting in Him in your response… and proves… You are His. And God has used Trials to reveal to whom… Him? No.. for He knows, but to you, for you…. that you are His.

And so humbly and at times even tearfully we can praise and Thank Him that He has ASSURED us through our trials that we have saving faith and His assurance we are His!

Keep loving Him! Keep Believing Him! Keep rejoicing in Him!

Your faith has been tested and GOD ASSURES you from His WORD that your faith is the real deal! Genuine saving faith posess, How do you know it? The trials have revealed it is so. Not that you have trials but your response in them. Loyalty to God that not even at times life’s crushing blows can separate you from! 

Trials do not sever you from God but your habitual response reveal you are God’s! 

You have a faith in the LORD that has been TESTED but not DESTROYED but put on Display to YOU, that your faith is genuine, saving faith

For you know of the “SO THAT” in your life and you have by His grace proved the “SO THAT” in the fiery trials that your faith is genuine!

God bless

Aidan,