1 PETER 1:6-7
"So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being TESTED BY FIRE as fire purifies gold. Your faith is far more precious than mere gold."
One of the most asked questions by non believer's is; "If God is such a Good God, why do bad things happen to good people?" What they really want is a pass on bad behavior and its consequences. Bad things happen to people who break God's laws. This is a just result. If you suffer because you steal or kill or bear false witness, that is to be expected. The same applies to all of us who violate the law and commandments of God. Bad choices lead to bad results. We would all be dead in our sin if it were not for Jesus Christ the Lord God and His Grace and Salvation. So one of the answers is that "no one is good, no not one." We have all sinned and come short of the Glory of God. That is why bad things happen to "good people".
Now for believer's there is a second answer that is contained in the truth for today. We need to be truly glad, for there is wonderful joy ahead for us. We may have to endure many trials for a little while. After all our entire life is so short in comparison to eternity. We will have to face the consequences for our choices and actions that test our faith and show that it is genuine. We are going through the fire of life while here on earth, but this is not our final destination and we are just passing through. We are being purified just like gold that is put through the fire many times to come out perfected. We are being TESTED BY FIRE!
Our faith is more precious that gold. When our faith remains strong through all the many trials, it brings us much praise and glory. When Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world it will bring you honor that you passed the test. It will be unspeakable joy that is your reward for enduring the trials and tests of the Lord. We will come face to face with Jesus and see Him for eternity. That is the prize that we all strive for, that is why we are willing to be TESTED BY FIRE. It is only for a little while that we endure this and without His salvation we would not deserve to be Saved! So be truly glad!
