Pastor’s corner - Purpose of Trials by Fire

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia; elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ; Grace unto you, and peace be multiplied”

This introduction to First Peter was the child of many tears and of much sorrow. It was written probably about the year A.D. 65, when the followers of Jesus of Nazareth were regarded with growing dislike, and while clouds of suffering and persecution were passing over believers in Christ (4:17). The disciples had already begun to learn through burdensome experiences that they were to follow their Master’s steps even though it would not be an easy journey.

Persecuted Christians had been scattered over the Roman empire, were facing extreme circumstances economically, politically, and even their very lives were being threatened by those in power. They needed comfort and to learn patience as well as to be encouraged to hold onto the Biblical teachings of Christ.

The epistle of First Peter has been an eagerly read book by Christians throughout the Church Age. Those who were pressed with many trials and weaknesses, exiled to distant lands, and shut out from all human compassion, discovered great comfort in the reading of this great epistle. There is a record of suffering believers being hunted by governments as “traitors”, and by religious cults as “heretics”, but they found refuge in Christ the Rock even while hiding in the dens and caves of the earth.

In his early life, Peter was a rough fisherman, impulsive, and outspoken, but he followed the teachings of Christ and became the type of man that could be used by the Lord. At first he was the least likely person to write such a tender and consolatory epistle to suffering believers. Through years of his own suffering and persecution, Peter was softened, humbled, and grew in understanding so that he qualified as the perfect writer of this compassionate epistle. His many trials by fire removed the hard edges from his character and prepared him for ministry in later life. Sometimes it takes a lifetime of fiery trials to mold us for God’s purpose!

Through Peter’s own testings in life this rock of a man was shaped over and over by fiery trials.

At the low point in his life, he denied Christ three times, but later acknowledged Him and submitted to his Master with enthusiasm and dedication ( John 21).

Now in the latter years of his life, age had diminished Peter’s personal strength, taken the defiance from his eye, covered his head with gray hair, and bowed his frame.

His self-reliance was gone because he learned to cling to someone stronger than himself and his opinions deferred to his Master’s wisdom.

Peter was toned and mellowed by suffering and sorrow and only now was he prepared for this last great work of writing this epistle.

Peter had learned to trust in the Lord when he was in prison ( Acts 12:9), listen to counsel when rebuked by the Apostle Paul (Galatians 2:11), and minister with his wife to the needs of believers (1 Corinthians 9:5). The great summation of Peter’s testings and character development can be seen in the last words of the introduction, “ Grace and peace by multiplied”.

Salvation grace is the undeserved love of God that saves all who believe in Christ as their Savior.

Sufficient grace lifts up the believer when under the personal and spiritual attacks that Christians often face in their daily lives.

Peace follows a clear understanding of grace.

Christians are at peace with God in that we are no longer in rebellion against Him, we are welcomed into His family, and the peace of Christ is our heritage.

So let us face the trials of life with our minds set on God’s divine will and plan for our lives.

The pressures you face today are melting away the deception of self reliance and moving us towards a stronger faith in God’s character and Word.

Keep on keeping on!

Ron McMurray, pastor

Grace Bible Church of Pullman

Whitman County Sheriff’s Chaplain