Timothy has just now come to us from you and brought good news about your faith. 1 Thessalonians 3:6 (NIV)
The resilience of true faith under fire is the evidence that your faith is a work of God. The trials of your life prove that your faith is genuine, and this will result in the praise and glory of God when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:7).
What has happened demonstrates beyond contradiction that your faith is an authentic work of God. You get the feel of what this means to Paul: “How can we thank God enough for you, in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?” (1 Thes. 3:9). When your faith stands firm under pressure you should thank God too.
Those who suffer and stand firm have one of the most important ministries in the church. Think about what some people in your congregation have faced or are facing now—bereavement, loss, a child with special needs, disappointment. You struggle, you question, you find yourself exhausted, yet you will love Christ, you still persevere.
There is only one explanation for that—your faith is an authentic work of God. If your faith was a house built on sand it would have collapsed long ago. Thank God for His grace and mercy in your life. It is a work that will never end. What He has begun, He will complete.
And those in the church who see you and love you, say with Paul: “How can we thank God enough for you, in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?” That’s faith under fire. That’s faith standing firm.
What evidence have you seen that your faith is genuine?
