Genuineness of your Faith
1] Do bad things happen to good people? Is God ever associated with so-called “bad things” that happen to people?
A more effective question would be: What does a “bad thing” look like?” For instance, an approaching hurricane is bad news for everybody except the surfers. Hurricanes create the most thrilling times for surfers, who are looking for gigantic waves. Likewise, it was about a storm that was the classroom discussion when Jesus tested Peter’s faith.
In a similar situation, the Apostle Paul’s response to a storm was quite the opposite. When Paul told the sailors on the ship, “Except you remain on the ship you are going to die”, he was confident that as long as they stayed on the ship, they would be saved. Paul could say this because, God was moving with such astonishing miracles at this time in his life, plus the angel said no lives would be lost if they stayed around Paul. The anointing was upon the Apostle Paul. Paul goes from faithless to full of faith (trust in God).
Strong’s Accordance of Biblical Words The Greek word for faith is πίστις pistis {pis’-tis} which means “trust”
1) conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it 1a) relating to God 1a1) the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ 1b) relating to Christ 1b1) a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God 1c) the religious beliefs of Christians 1d) belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same 2) fidelity, faithfulness 2a) the character of one who can be relied on
πίστις pistis means to trust God and not make God our personal genie.
At this point, Paul had been exposed to so many tests in his life that he now knew how to trust God. Every trial had afforded Paul valuable insights in the way God matures His servants. While looking at the trials of Paul, one might think that God was infuriated with His Apostle. On the contrary, sometimes it is by God’s targeting our flesh that we are taught to never place trust in our own abilities. God brings our flesh to a place of failure, then faithfully delivers us for the purpose of teaching the believers to place their faith in HIM, alone.
25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea.
26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.
27 I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
28 Then, besides all this, I have the daily burden of my concern for all the churches.
29 Who is weak without my feeling that weakness? Who is led astray, and I do not burn with anger?
30 If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am (2Co 11:25-30 NLT)
Now that Paul was on the same page of God’s playbook, the most important lesson was that the flesh is capable of running ahead of God. Even to the point that prophets of old began to prophesy blessings, when the original message was a rebuke. Paul learned, that man’s flesh really wants to exalt itself beyond its proper place. While in our flesh, we try to direct God, through our “so-called prayer.
7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. (2Co 12:7-9 NLT)
What seemed to be bad, (Paul’s sickness) was given to the apostle to remind us that we are not in control of our own lives. In addition, in a strange sense Paul’s sickness was serving in the capacity as a reminder of God’s sovereignty. So, what appeared to be bad became somewhat of a blessing, according to whose perspective one is looking through.
“Bad” Definition1 (unpleasant, full of problems, bad news/weather/dreams/habits)
Definition2 (poor quality 4/and acceptable standard/condition).
A person’s perspective of God’s dynamic forces at work in man depends on his or her attitude towards God’s sovereign rule. Therefore, the eyes of the Lord are looking for a faithful servant; one who understands God’s agenda and not man’s itinerary. Through tests and trials, God is able to examine the hearts of His servants. God is looking for those whom He can show His signs and wonders that follow them that believe. God is looking for that real servant who has a genuine and faithful heart toward Him.
Real; exactly what it appears to be; not artificial; authentic. Oxford advanced learner’s dictionary
CJB 1 Peter 1:7 Even gold is tested for genuineness by fire. The purpose of these trials is so that your trust’s genuineness, which is far more valuable than perishable gold, will be judged worthy of praise, glory and honor at the revealing of Yeshua the Messiah. (1Pe 1:7 CJB)
KJG 1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
MIT 1 Peter 1:7 These occur that the genuineness of your faith, of greater value than gold that melts when subjected to fire, might be found to merit praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
NAS 1 Peter 1:7 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;
A good example of man’s agenda running out of control is in the book of Jeremiah where God tells Israel, “My plans for you are good.” It is amazing to me how the church sing songs about God’s plans for the believer are always good. Yet, this Scripture is dealing with Israel’s disobedience. The statement about God’s plans to bless Israel was only part of what God was saying. As a result of Israel’s disobedience and spiritual adultery, God was warning them that He would do the opposite. Unfortunately, well-meaning church folk are ignoring the text surrounding Jeremiah 29:11. This passage is also a rebuke since it warns of God’s further intervention against Israel if they continued to disobey the messages from the prophets. Listed below are the same Scriptures translated from the Jewish Bible which clearly explains the message:
11 For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says ADONAI,’plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future.
12 When you call to me and pray to me, I will listen to you.
13 When you seek me, you will find me, provided you seek for me wholeheartedly;
14 and I will let you find me,’ says ADONAI. ‘Then I will reverse your exile. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have driven you,’ says ADONAI, ‘and bring you back to the place from which I exiled you.’
15 “You say that ADONAI has raised up prophets for you in Bavel.
16 But here is what ADONAI says about the king occupying David’s throne and about all the people living in this city, your kinsmen who did not go into exile with you-
17 thus says ADONAI-Tzva’ot: ‘I will attack them with sword, famine and plague; I will make them like bad figs, so bad they are inedible.
18 I will pursue them with sword, famine and plague and make them an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth; and they will bring on themselves cursing, astonishment, ridicule and reproach among all the nations where I have driven them;
19 because they have not paid attention to my words,’ says ADONAI, ‘which I sent to them through my servants the prophets. I sent them frequently, but you refused to listen,’ says ADONAI. (Jer 29:11-19 CJB)