The Walk of Faith
1 Peter 4:12-13 (AMP) 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you. 13 But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory [filled with His radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may rejoice with great joy.
1 Peter 4:12-13 (AMPC) 12 Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you. 13 But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly].
The Greek word for fiery ordeal is purósis (poo'-ro-sis). It means ignition, smelting, burning, etc. Peter tells us not to be surprised or taken aback by situations in which we are being ignited, smeltered, burned, because it tests the quality of our faith and gives us an opportunity to grow where we are lacking. Smelting is a process that metals go through where they are heated to the highest temperature so that there are no more impurities. If the metals were already purified and without impurities, then they would not be required to go through the smelting process.
What does that have to do with you, you say? Scripture tells us that the righteous shall live by faith, and if one shrinks back, the Lord will not be pleased with him (Hebrews 10:38). To shrink back is to literally be reduced, lessen, to fall off, to be squeezed out. The fiery ordeal that Peter tells us to actually look forward to is so that we will not grow complacent, but rather we are given the opportunity to show The Lord that instead of being reduced, we will enlarge, instead of lessening, we will grow, instead of falling off, we will fall in line and not only show the Lord but to show those watching and can share of this to why you believe what you believe (1 Peter 3:15).
Peter also knew the mindset it took to approach these situations with expectancy: he focused on the outcome. In verse 13, he tells us that the process is sharing in Christ’s suffering and WHEN, not if, WHEN His glory, His purpose for the process, is revealed, it will be for His glory.
See, none of us has arrived at having perfected faith; we are called to grow into it. Ephesians 4:13-14 says,
13 until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity]. 14 So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]
See, this faith walk is required of us so that we can’t be swayed by the things of this world. Faith gives us a leg to stand on when the enemy tries to sway you in his cunning and deceitful ways. Choosing to walk by faith is choosing to no longer be a pawn for Satan due to disbelief. You’re able to go through the process that will conform you to Christ to overcome sin including doubt, which is the will of God.
“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.” I Peter 4:1-2 NKJV I hope this encourages you that the walk of faith which includes suffering to your flesh is not only necessary but should be an inspiration as we push towards the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!