In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9. (Emphasis added.).
There is a major point and a minor point in this Scripture passage that I want to discuss. The major point is Perseverance of the Saints better known as Preservation of the Saints – The “P” in “TULIP”, the acronym for the Five Points of Calvinism. (For a more comprehensive discussion of this point and the other points of “TULIP”, see “TULIP” under the “Links” in the right column.) The minor point is that we should not be discouraged by trials.
Regarding the first major point of “Perseverance of the Saints better known as Preservation of the Saints”, this Scripture tells at least three things. First, God causes us to obtain our inheritance (salvation) for us. Second, this inheritance (salvation) is reserved in heaven for us. Third, we, the elect, are “protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation.”
Regarding the second minor point that we should not be discouraged by trials, this Scripture tells us at least two things. First, God does not send us these trials randomly or “willy-nilly”. God sends these trials to us “for a little while, if necessary“. Second, the purpose of these trials is “so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ“.
Calvin in his Commentary states: “By saying, though now for a season, or, a little while, he supplied consolation; for the shortness of time, however hard evils may be, does not a little lessen them; and the duration of the present life is but a moment of time. If need be; the condition is to be taken for a cause; for he purposed to shew, that God does not, without reason, thus try his people; for, if God afflicted us without a cause, to bear it would be grievous. Hence Peter took an argument for consolation from the design of God; not that the reason always appears to us, but that we ought to be fully persuaded that it ought to be so, because it is God’s will.”
I think that it also helps us to put the trials in the context of the major point of “Perseverance of the Saints b/n/a Preservation of the Saints”. God’s main goal is to preserve us for salvation. God does not send trials to us to “set us up to fail”. God does not want to harass us. It is shameful to even need to talk this way, but I think that sometimes we wonder. God sends us these trials “for a little while, if necessary” “so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ”.
In conclusion, these words are written for the “chosen”. See verse 1. The blessing is given in verse 2: “May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.” We don’t need to walk on egg shells waiting for the trials. As stated, God’s main goal is to preserve us for salvation. Thank you.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 