The verse in 1 Peter 1:7 states, “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.” This verse teaches us that genuine faith in Christ is of far greater value than gold.
Gold is considered one of the most precious metals on earth. It has been highly valued throughout human history for its beauty, usefulness, and rarity. Yet the Bible tells us that genuine faith is actually much more precious than gold!
There are several important truths we can draw from this verse about the value and meaning of genuine faith:
- Genuine faith is tested and proven.
- Genuine faith is more precious than gold.
- Genuine faith results in glory to God.
- Genuine faith is rooted in Jesus.
- Genuine faith perseveres.
Peter says that the “tested genuineness of your faith” is more precious than gold. True faith will be tested and tried to reveal its authenticity. Difficult circumstances in life, trials, persecutions – these will test the genuineness of a person’s faith. And when faith withstands the testing, it demonstrates itself to be genuine.
Gold is an earthly treasure, but genuine faith is a heavenly treasure. While gold eventually perishes, genuine faith lasts for eternity. Gold has earthly value, but genuine faith has eternal value. This verse elevates faith far above material riches.
Peter says that genuine faith “may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” When Christ returns, our genuine faith will be shown to have been worth far more than perishable gold. It will bring glory and honor to God. Genuine faith always manifests itself in a life that praises and honors the Lord.
This verse connects the value of our faith to Jesus. Genuine faith is faith in Christ. It’s not merely a general religious faith. The faith that God finds precious is faith rooted in His Son, Jesus.
Peter refers to the “tested genuineness” of faith. Genuine faith withstands the fiery trials of this life. It endures even when tested severely. There are difficult seasons that require perseverance and tenacity of faith. Genuine faith clings to Christ through it all.
In summary, this verse teaches us that genuine saving faith in Jesus Christ is so precious because:
- It is proven through tests and trials
- It is eternal, unlike earthly riches
- It brings glory to God
- It is rooted in Jesus
- It perseveres through adversity
The genuineness of our faith is revealed through testing. As trials come, do we cling more tightly to Christ? Does our faith withstand the flames? May God grant us genuine faith that trusts Him no matter what fiery trials come our way. This kind of proven, persevering faith is a heavenly treasure, far more precious than gold.
1. Genuine faith is tested and proven
Peter begins this verse by referring to the “tested genuineness of your faith.” True saving faith will always be tested through difficulties and trials to reveal its authenticity. Jesus compared faith to a house built on rock versus sand (Matthew 7:24-27). The storms came and beat against both houses. The faith represented by the house on the rock withstood the storm, while the other faith collapsed. Storms will come to test the genuineness of our faith and see if it endures.
The Bible is filled with stories of saints whose faith was tested severely through persecution and trials. Daniel was thrown into a lion’s den for his faith, and he persevered (Daniel 6). Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood strong in their faith when commanded to worship an idol, even when threatened with a fiery furnace (Daniel 3). Their faith proved genuine as God delivered them from the flames. The list goes on and on of biblical examples of faith being tested – and proven genuine through the testing (Hebrews 11).
Jesus promised His followers they would face persecution and suffering for living out their faith (John 15:18-21). Difficult circumstances will come to test our faith. When our faith withstands the testing, it demonstrates itself to be the real thing. Many claim to have faith, but when it is tested severely through fiery trials, only genuine faith will endure.
Peter knew firsthand the importance of having genuine faith that would persevere. He had boasted of his devotion to Jesus, saying he would never abandon Him. But on the night Jesus was arrested, Peter denied even knowing Him three times (Matthew 26:31-35). His faith had not yet matured and been tested. It proved weak and faltered under pressure. Later, Peter repented and his faith grew stronger. His epistles were written later in life, reflecting the depth of faith he gained after it had been tested through storms and trials (2 Peter 1:12-15).
The testing of our faith develops endurance and perseverance within us, strengthening our faith muscles. As we withstand adversity our trust in God is deepened (Romans 5:3-4, James 1:2-4). The trials are painful but the result is maturity, wisdom, and Christlike character.
2. Genuine faith is more precious than gold
Peter declares that the proven genuineness of faith “is more precious than gold.” Gold represents one of the most precious metals in the world. People have valued gold for its beauty, usefulness, and scarcity for thousands of years. Gold does not corrode or rust and is very malleable. It has been used as currency, jewelry and decoration. People have sought after gold and invested much to mine and accumulate it. Even today, gold remains a valuable commodity and stable investment.
Yet as precious as gold is on earth, Peter says genuine faith is far more precious. Why is faith more valuable than gold? For a few key reasons:
Faith has eternal value – Gold can ultimately only purchase temporary earthly pleasures. But faith secures our eternal future with Christ. 1 Peter 1:4 says we have an “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven” for us. Gold provides worldly riches, but faith provides eternal riches.
Faith is required to salvation – Gold cannot purchase salvation or ensure a right standing before God. Salvation is received “by grace through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). Faith in Christ secures eternal life, which is priceless.
Faith pleases God – Having genuine faith demonstrates that we trust God. Hebrews 11:6 declares, “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” God deeply values faith.
Faith changes us – While gold only changes our circumstances, faith changes our hearts and lives. It transforms us to be more Christlike. This brings joy to God.
While gold is a highly valued earthly treasure, faith is a cherished heavenly treasure. Gold provides temporal security, but faith provides eternal security. The true riches of faith far surpass any earthly wealth. Jesus asked, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). Genuine faith gains us not just the world, but our very souls.
3. Genuine faith results in glory to God
Peter explains that proven faith “may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” When Christ returns, our genuine faith will bring glory and honor to God.
Throughout Scripture, we are called to live in ways that magnify God’s greatness. Jesus said that our good works should cause people to praise God (Matthew 5:16). As people observe our lives changed by faith, this points them toward the greatness of our God. Paul wrote that believers are being transformed from “one degree of glory to another” as we reflect the Lord’s glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Genuine saving faith always manifests itself in a life that honors God. True believers desire to obey and please the Lord out of love and gratitude for His grace. While we often stumble, the overall trajectory of a changed life is loving obedience to God. Jesus said this fruit of a transformed life is how His true followers are recognized (Matthew 7:15-23).
When Christ returns, it will be evident that our faith was real because our lives gave glory to God. Our faith will be shown to have been so much more valuable than perishable gold. Even through earthly trials, our faith produced fruit that honored the Lord.
In heaven, we will praise God for sustaining us through every trial and for proving the genuineness of our weak faith. We will thank Him that even though “we walked by faith, not by sight” on earth, our faith resulted in eternal reward (2 Corinthians 5:7). We will lay any rewards we receive back at Jesus’ feet, recognizing He enabled any glory we brought to God (Revelation 4:10-11). Faith that glorifies Christ is true faith.
4. Genuine faith is rooted in Jesus
This verse connects the value of faith to Jesus. Peter writes that faith is proven genuine “at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” True saving faith is faith rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ. A general religious faith does not save – it must be faith in Jesus.
The entire Christian faith hinges on Jesus. Peter preached that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Faith in Christ is essential.
Genuine faith means trusting that Jesus is God’s Son who died to pay for our sins and rose victorious over death. It is relying fully on Him for salvation. Paul proclaimed, “We hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law” (Romans 3:28). Peter preached, “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name” (Acts 10:43). Faith in Christ brings salvation.
Saving faith also entails surrendering our lives to Jesus’ lordship. We forsake sinful living and seek to obey God because of our faith. After declaring that we are saved by faith, Paul immediately adds, “We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:8-10). True faith produces good works.
Genuine faith causes us to rely on Christ, obey Him, and pursue holiness by the power of His Spirit working within us. It transforms every aspect of our lives. The faith God finds precious is wholehearted trust in His beloved Son.
5. Genuine faith perseveres
Peter refers to the “tested genuineness” of faith in this verse. Why? Because true saving faith withstands trials and testing. It perseveres through difficult seasons when our faith is pressured severely. Many people turn away when the Christian life gets challenging. But genuine faith endures.
Jesus told a parable about seeds sown on different types of soil. The seed that fell on rocky ground sprang up quickly but withered in the heat because it had no depth (Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21). These people receive the gospel with joy, but their faith is short-lived. When trials come, they fall away.
In another agricultural metaphor, Jesus spoke of pruning branches that don’t bear fruit so better branches can thrive (John 15:1-8). Those who don’t persevere in faith are cut off, while faithful believers bear fruit.
Scripture assures that genuine saving faith will endure to the end. Jesus said, “But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). Presevering faith is evidence that God has birthed faith within us. Colossians 1:21-23 explains that God reconciles us to Himself “if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel.”
There will be hard seasons that test our faith severely. The trials may feel like a fiery furnace. Will we trust God and His unfailing love? Will we cling to His promises? Or will we doubt and turn away? Genuine faith stays steadfast through the fire.
When Job suffered intensely, he remained faithful, saying, “Though he slay me, I will hope in him” (Job 13:15). His steadfast faith under trial pleased God. May we cultivate persevering faith that withstands every hardship life brings our way.
Summary
First Peter 1:7 teaches that genuine faith in Christ is incredibly precious to God. While gold is a valued earthly treasure, proven faith is a priceless eternal treasure.
Genuine faith is shown to be real as it withstands trials and testing. It lasts forever unlike fading earthly riches. This kind of steadfast faith brings great glory to God. It comes from depending on Jesus entirely for salvation. When Christ returns, our proven faith will be shown to have dramatically surpassed the worth of perishable gold.
May we all cultivate genuine faith that perseveres no matter what fiery trials come our way. God is pleased when we trust His Son and live for His glory. This faith is a heavenly treasure, more precious than gold.