6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Introduction

Christian

Imagine a young man, sixteen years old. Let's name him "Christian." He grew up in a home that didn't push any particular religion upon him and instead encouraged him to find his truth. One day during his sophomore year, a classmate invited him to something called "youth group." He gathered it had something to do with church. He went and found himself intrigued. Everything was different. He didn't understand much, but he liked the people and the joy they had, so he kept going.

That summer, he ended up joining the youth group at their camp. Again, he had no idea what he was in for, but, detached from his regular life, he found himself inspired and, one night during a chapel service, he surrendered his life to Jesus. It was a true conversion, he was born again, and he loved the living hope God had given him. Forgiven, clean, loved by God, Christian quickly began to change and grow. He knew he could not live the way he had before.

Though Christian was excited about his newfound life, he soon discovered others weren't. His girlfriend didn't like his new thoughts about something called "purity," and his friends didn't like that he stopped drinking with them. He tried to comfort himself with the fact he had many new church friends, but it still saddened him that many of his social connections were being cut off.

And, since he was a studious believer, he started accurately seeing the worldview of his teachers. He'd taken an apologetics and worldview class at his church, and his newfound beliefs began entering his papers. A few of his teachers expressed their disappointment. Some gave him the cold shoulder. Others gave him bad grades.

Christian pressed on through his high school years, only to discover college wasn't any easier. There, many of the professors were openly hostile to the Christian faith. He found himself blamed for the ills of modern society. One campus group even labeled the campus ministry he attended a "hate" group. But Christian loved his fellow students and did everything he could to share Jesus' love with them. Some listened, a few believed, but most wouldn't give him the time of day.

After college, Christian decided to enter seminary. He loved the Lord and wanted to preach the word. Though he attended a great seminary, orthodox and biblically faithful, he was saddened to watch many of his classmates change their views to accommodate the new morality of the world today. They ditched the historic and biblical view of sex and gender. They ditched a belief in eternal judgment. They ditched their convictions about Scripture. Some of them returned, but many of them eventually stopped believing in God altogether.

Once in local church work, Christian became a good minister of the gospel. The community he served was predominantly unchurched, and he wanted to make a difference. But it seemed that no matter how hard he tried, people's preconceived notions about Christianity and the Bible got in the way. More than once, he was told it would be better for the community if he left town.

One day, laws were passed that made it illegal to publicly teach a biblical sexual ethic. It was labeled hate speech. His wife even wrote a letter to their local politicians, alerting them to the fact they were putting her husband in danger of arrest for being a Bible believer and preacher. But, since Christian was a Bible believer and preacher, he bolstered himself in prayer with his wife and elders and readied himself for the next Bible passage that could get him in trouble with the authorities. Humbly, lovingly, he reasoned with the congregation about the merits of God's design for sexuality. But, since his words were on the internet, someone got ahold of them, and Christian was arrested.

As he tried to sleep that first night in jail, he wondered if he'd done something wrong. He thought back to the joy he had when he was born again at age sixteen. He had felt so light, free, and loved. But now, he was suffering. He was in pain. It felt like the bars of the prison cell were closing in on him.

At that moment, in what seemed like an inaudible whisper within, Christian heard a voice say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have testified of me, and you will continue to do so. I love you. And I am with you. And one day, we will be together forever." Christian was comforted. He knew Jesus was right there in the cell with him.

Peter's Point

I tell this story because, at this point in Peter's letter, we have already celebrated the living hope that is ours because God caused us to be born again. People who belong to Jesus rejoice because of the eternal inheritance God is guarding for them and guarding them for. One day, we will enter glory with God, and for this, we rejoice.

But Peter knows that the new birth, like our original birth, will inevitably lead to trials of various kinds. And, for the church to be what it needs to be, Peter saw how important it would be for us to suffer well. Just as a baby cannot grow and mature without some strain and struggle, so God's people cannot accomplish their mission without entering into difficulty. The nature of the church is that we are a collection of people designed by God as the vehicle which confronts the world with the gospel. We are designed to bring the hope of Christ to a world God loves.

This sounds good to us, but it's a mission that cannot possibly be completed without hardship. The very nature of gospel preaching -- declaring sin, righteousness, and judgment to humanity bound and blinded by brokenness -- means many will reject the news we declare. And this rejection will not always be peaceable. Hostility will arise. The way, the truth, and the life of Christ are at odds with the world system. Passions and perspectives will war against the truth of the gospel.

Willing To Suffer

Peter knew this -- and he saw how his audience was already in it. They'd been born into a world of hostility. He needed to show them (and us) how to live. But he had no chance at instructing them if they somehow thought the Christian life would be free of conflict. So, at this beginning point in his letter, he started preparing them for a life of suffering. To complete their mission, they had to be willing to suffer.

This is the heart of the whole letter. Peter wants us to endure the pain well. As I've been saying so far, he does not want us to angrily fight back because no one comes to Christ that way. He does not want us to flee and sequester ourselves away from the world because no one comes to Christ that way. And he does not want us to conform to the thoughts and perspectives around us because no one comes to Christ that way. And Peter wants people to come to Christ. So he wants us to "stand firm" with our Lord who, "for the joy set before Him, endured the cross and despised the shame" (Hebrews 12:2).

Exile Trials

Because this is his heart, Peter quickly got to the subject of trials. I want to call these Exile Trials. Exile Trials are pains attached to the Christian life, trials we experience because of our mission as ambassadors for Christ.

Today, we are going to consider these Exile Trials. In the passage, we are going to consider three things about them.

• First, they are our present reality. We are in them today and will likely increasingly experience them in the future.
• Second, they can generate beauty. Though difficult, they can produce some powerful results among God's people.
• And third, they are endured by love. When Jesus captures your heart, when Jesus is Famous to you, when he is glorious, wonderful, beautiful, personal, transcendent, helpful, gracious, merciful, kind, and compassionate to you, you will endure trials well.

1. Exile Trials Are Our Present Reality (6)

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

Various Trials

What are these various trials Peter thought the church he wrote to would experience? (6) No one knows. Not even Peter. There is no indication they were under official state-sponsored persecution at this point (that would come later). But we do know that all through the letter, the pressure they experienced was verbal and social, rather than physical and official. So when Peter writes of various trials, he is using a term indicating Exile Trials could take many different forms.

His words remind us of the words of Jesus to his disciples:

John 16:33 (ESV) — 33 "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

They Are Caused By Our Salvation

Though this verse can justifiably be useful to us when in any kind of trial, I think it is directly applicable when we are suffering for the sake of Christ. Make no mistake, all trials are difficult, and Christians will walk in all kinds of trials. We will suffer loss, endure sickness, and experience limitations. James even used the same terminology Peter did, telling us we should rejoice at what "various trials" can do to our character, our inner person (James 1:2-4).

But Peter wanted to highlight Exile Trials, the kinds of difficulties that are attached to being a Christian. He did this by telling us that though we might rejoice over being born again, we will also be grieved by various trials (6). This means that though we celebrate our future in heaven, sometimes our belief in Jesus will cause pain on earth. And throughout his letter, Peter is going to talk to us about "suffering for righteousness sake" and "for doing good" (3:14, 17). He will tell us not to be surprised by these events, but to instead have the mind of Christ and rejoice to share in his sufferings (4:1, 12-13).

So, keep this in mind with this first verse: Peter is talking about opposition because someone is a Christian.

They Are Momentary

But Peter comforts us by telling us these Exile Trials are momentary. He said they are now for a little while (6). This reminds us of Paul's words to the Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 4:17 (ESV) — 17 This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison...

How could these men call our affliction in this life, especially the kind attached to our allegiance to Jesus, light or momentary? How could Peter, a man who was eventually crucified upside down, say our Exile Trials are for a little while?

He could only say this in light of eternity. When compared to our forever with Christ, this life is incredibly short. Even our dear brothers and sisters in parts of the world where Christianity is against the law, some of them jailed and mistreated for life, can say their suffering is for a little while compared to eternity. That's what Peter has in mind. He will clarify this at the end of his letter:

1 Peter 5:10 (ESV) — 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

They Are Sometimes Needed

But Peter also shocks us by saying that these various trials are sometimes needed. If necessary, he said (6). If necessary. What did he mean?

Think of it this way: Jesus did not needlessly suffer -- neither will we. His suffering produced. And our suffering also produces. In a moment, we will consider how. But this little line from Peter was meant to encourage the church. The various trials they were in for Jesus did not escape the sight of God. If needed, he would allow them to pass through them.

As the psalmist said:

Psalm 119:75 (ESV) — 75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

They Hurt

But Peter also acknowledged that these Exile Trials hurt. He said we would be grieved by them (6). This should not be a surprise, but I'm glad he said it. Some might mistakenly think the Christian life is one of walking on water, a spirituality that transcends suffering, a nirvana that inoculates someone from pain. But that is not the way of the Christian life. When the trials come, they hurt.

Psalm 69:20 (ESV) — 20 Reproaches have broken my heart, so that I am in despair. I looked for pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.

All this to say, Exile Trials are our present reality. For some of us, they are looming. For others, being in pain for Jesus is already our experience. Some of you are worried about hostility; others of you have already tasted it. Peter will keep us straight in this letter. He won't let us get away with bemoaning suffering that is caused by our sin or folly. He is talking about suffering for Jesus' sake.

And, as we increasingly walk in an age that is post-Christian, or post-post-Christian, I pray we can grow in the understanding that these Exile Trials are our current reality. But God can use them. How so?

2. Exile Trials Generate Beauty (7)

7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Beauty Comes Today From This Fiery Trial

Here, Peter tells us that these Exile Trials will test and prove the genuineness of our faith (7). In the same way gold is purified by fire, so our faith is purified by the fires of various trials. But our faith, according to God's word through Peter, is more precious than gold that perishes (7).

But how do trials for Jesus test and prove the genuineness of our faith in Jesus? In one sense, that's what the rest of First Peter is about. He is going to describe the grace of exile, the life that is purified of worldly attachments by the fires of Exile Trials. But rather than overview the entire letter right now, let's consider Peter's assertion. He's saying trials do something good to our faith. They test and purify and prove it. So trials generate something beautiful. How so?

Think of it this way. What is the opposite of tested and genuine? Untested and fake. Exile Trials have a way of driving out both. This is good because both are major problems today.

With an untested faith, a believer can remain weak and uninformed. Trite platitudes, a lack of commitment to grow in biblical knowledge, and nonexistent prayer lives can survive a lack of testing.

But when the fires of Exile Trials heat up, that same believer is forced to grow. Their faith is tested. So the person who got by with their own opinions or pithy sayings before must now drill down into the deeper truths Scripture gives them about reality. The person who skated by with only a cursory knowledge of God's word must now wrestle with what they believe and why they believe it. And the person who barely prayed for revival, the expansion of the kingdom, their pastoral team, or the salvation of their community, must now press into actual times of sitting down and praying to God.

But Peter also said trials help prove the genuineness of our faith. With a false or fake faith, someone can claim Christianity without true belief. This works when there is some type of advantage offered by being identified as a Christian. Maybe it makes the family happy. Maybe it provides friendships in the community. Maybe it's what the bulk of society is doing. Maybe it is the honorable thing. Maybe it is expected -- call it a "presidential" Christianity.

But when Exile Trials hit, only genuine Christians will persist in biblical, orthodox, true Christianity. It costs too much to fake it.

So Exile Trials are good because they generate more beautiful believers who make up a more beautiful church. Counterfeit Christianity is a huge problem, and trials for following Jesus are helpful in purging us of it. And, according to Peter, they are part of God's plan to purify his people. And, according to Peter, this purified faith would be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (7). In other words, when Jesus returns at the end of the age, a purified and tested faith will be cause for massive celebration.

But this purification of our faith through trials is God's way:

Proverbs 17:3 (ESV) — 3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV) — 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Isaiah 48:10 (ESV) — 10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.

An Admission

At this point, I want to admit a fear I have in talking like this about Exile Trials. As I share with you about days of social pressure that will come because of your Christianity, I worry that some of you are hearing a political speech. I worry that some of you think I'm talking about vaccinations and masks and a Democrat President. But I'm not. I am referring to the real persecution of Christians for biblical beliefs and convictions and practices and doctrines, not political pressure from the left on the right or the right on the left. I am referring to actual persecution -- soft or hard -- on believers for their beliefs. This might feel political at times, but that's not the way Peter (or me) tried to frame it.

I share this worry here because Peter wanted them to see the opportunity these trials presented. They could become a more beautiful church. They could have a purified faith. They could become deeper Christians.

What an opportunity we have when Exile Trials come our way! We can become more genuine, true, and real in our faith. And we can become true representatives of Christianity. I'm sure you've had plenty of moments where someone somewhere is talking about what Christians somewhere are doing -- and you're horrified because they don't seem like Christian things! Exile Trials purge a lot of that strange and unbiblical stuff from our midst. So good.

3. Exile Trials Are Endured By Love (8-9)

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

We Love The One We Can't See

So we've seen how Exile Trials are our present reality and that they can generate beauty in us. But, lastly, I want you to see how Exile Trials are endured by love. Peter said, "Though you have not seen Jesus, you love Jesus" (8). And "though you do not now see him, you believe in him with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory" (8).

I think this floored Peter. He had seen Jesus. When he was jailed or beaten for Christ, he could recall walking and talking with the Lord. He'd looked Jesus in the eyes and had felt what it was like for Jesus to look him in the eyes. He had touched and talked and walked with Christ. And he knew how valuable those experiences had been. When life was a nightmare, he could dream of Jesus.

But he knew his readers didn't have the same experience of Jesus. They had not known Jesus while he walked the earth. They'd not seen Jesus, but they loved Jesus. They could not see him now, but they trusted him. Perhaps it made Peter think of Jesus' words to Thomas:

John 20:29 (ESV) — 29 "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Peter knew how odd this was. All the religions of his day, including the Judaism he had left behind, had powerful and external symbols to inspire them. They had temples. They had idols. They had priests. Even the Roman Empire had eagles and colors and rituals and coinage that reminded the world of its power. But these humble Christians had an unseen Jesus who they intensely loved and trusted with their lives.

But this is the way forward, brothers and sisters. When Exile Trials come, you will get through with a love for and trust in Jesus. You cannot survive in a climate of Exile Trials without a real, personal, daily, living relationship with the invisible Jesus.

In Christendom, where Christianity blends nicely with the culture around it, believers can get by with a very nominal Christianity. They aren't thriving, but because they don't experience much hostility to their faith, they can get by with a few prayers while driving around town, a church activity or two each month, and a distant relationship with Jesus' mission. But when Exile Trials hit, the only way to survive is by pressing into Jesus. Prayer. Community. Service. Spiritual formation. Fasting. Discipleship. Learning. It all increases because it all has to increase. There is no other option.

They Engage Salvation Now

And when you love and trust Jesus, he gets you through these Exile Trials. Peter said so: obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls (9). In Peter's mind, people who love and trust Jesus while suffering for him get to experience their salvation today. Right now, people like this taste God's goodness. They experience Jesus.

Remember Daniel's friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah (or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego)? They felt some strong Exile Trials. When the music played, signifying it was time to bow down to a gold image King Nebuchadnezzar set up, they refused. They were thrown into the fiery furnace. Destined to die, they didn't and instead walked around inside the furnace. Nebuchadnezzar said:

Daniel 3:24–25 (NLT) — 24 But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?” “Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied. 25 “Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”

Who walked with them in the midst of the fire? I think it was our Lord. They went through the fire, they endured the brunt of the Exile Trial, but they got Jesus. They had not seen him, but they loved and trusted him.

And when the music of our society plays, and when it feels nearly everyone -- right and left -- is casting themselves down at the feet of an idol, a love for and trust in Jesus will get us through. And he will stand with us in the fire.

Conclusion

So, again, Peter is not calling us to fight with anger, flee like Pharisees, or conform like cowards. Instead, he has called us to stand firm and endure the various trials set before us. These days are our current reality, but they can do something beautiful in us and are ensured by a love for Christ.

Remember the beginning of this teaching? I told the fictional story of a young pastor named Christian. He was jailed for preaching the Bible. But there is one element of the story inspired by a true event. This last week, I was texting with a pastor friend of mine in Alberta, Canada. His city has passed ordinances that could get Bible preachers in trouble. And his wife has written to the authorities, pleading with them to reconsider. She told them, "You've created laws that make three ways my husband could go to jail for doing his job."

Exile Trials, man. Let's allow Jesus, whom we haven't seen, to make us strong for the days to come.