Editor’s Note: We want to offer a hearty “welcome back” to Dr. LaMay. After a brief illness, he has taken up the task of writing the Sabbath School lessons again. We’re so happy to have you back, Dr. LaMay!

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May, 2013: Faith in Christ, Our Faith Is Tested

May 5, 2013

Lesson: 1 Peter 1:1–12

Key Verse: 1 Peter 1:7

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Introduction

By the gift of faith in Christ, we are made alive in Christ, becoming more and more like Christ our Savior. In other words, we are first regenerated by the Holy Spirit and given that glorious free gift of faith in Christ. By grace, we have been saved, enabling us to live in Christ. A further understanding of this gift of faith in Christ, which enables us, by the Spirit, to grow in Christ, is seen in Paul’s prayer for the congregation: “that (God) would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:16–19).

The testing of our faith shows us that this faith in Christ is genuine or trustworthy. How precious is that gift of faith. Matthew Henry wrote that “God’s design in afflicting his people is their probation, not their destruction; their advantage, not their ruin: a trial, as the word signifies, is an experiment or search made upon a man, by some affliction, to prove the value and strength of his faith.”

Our faith in Christ is tested in all areas of our lives. Faith is putting our Biblical worldview in action. The Christian places his faith and trust in Christ alone, which becomes effectual in our homes, businesses, education, civil government, and in our fellowship as God’s congregation. In all areas of life, our faith in Christ is tested that we know the reliability of trust in Christ. The Shorter Catechism asks the question, “What is faith in Jesus Christ?” Defining that faith, which is of Christ alone: “Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation, as He is offered to us in the gospel.”

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True Faith in Christ—1 Peter 1:1–2

The apostle Peter writes his epistle to those who are “strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,” about thirty years after the death and resurrection of Christ. The church was beginning to feel the hate of the rulers of Rome. Persecution was growing; in less than ten years, the congregations of Christ would know a great tribulation. From A.D. 70 on, generations would know the hatred of the enemy. In A.D. 112, Pliny of Bithynia would write to the Emperor Trajan, receiving approval for his persecution of the Christians. These pilgrims or sojourners in the foreign provinces of Asia Minor, were of the same witness of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, of whom it is written, “These all died in the faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb. 11:13).

God’s congregations stand firm and would not be conquered. By faith, they would face the lions and the fire as did those who went before them, those who “through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained the promises, stopped the mouths of lions, …out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, …trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment” (Heb. 11:33–36).

Peter writes to those who are the “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.” Adopting them, the Father sends his Son to pay the ransom price for their transgressions. They are those who have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, who in obedience to the Father gave himself as a propitiation for our sin and guilt, that we might have our sins forgiven and receive eternal life. The apostle Paul records the preciousness of this life in Christ: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29). In this prized relationship between us and the Father, we receive this hope in times of persecution and trials: “Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” We rest in the arms of our Creator and Savior, experiencing His tender mercies and loving care, establishing the faith in Christ by which we live.

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Discussion: What does it mean for the elect to have faith in Christ?

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Kept by the Power of God—1 Peter 1:3–5

Peter gives us this assurance of hope in Christ: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!”—or how worthy is God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Why is God the Father worthy of such praise? Because God the Father has adopted us “which according to his abundant mercy;” having “begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” This salvation of his chosen people was not by merit but by grace, by the Father’s mercy and loving-kindness. He provided an eternal inheritance through the death and resurrection of him who took upon  himself our flesh.

This inheritance, because of the accomplished work of Christ the Son, is “incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” This inheritance is guaranteed, our hope and faith in Christ; for we are given this promise, that we are “kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” No one can take this inheritance from us; by divine power it is ours, and we will know the fullness of its glory when we see Christ face to face in that last day. Therefore, established upon this promise, we testify with Paul: “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory” (Eph. 1:13–14).

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Discussion: What assurance do we have that we truly belong to God our Father?

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Tested by Fire—1Peter 1:6–9

Our faith in Christ is being tested each and every day; for the way of the world is ever there to confront and challenge us. Our faith is tested by the way we live, in word and deed. Our faith is tested in our homes as well as our work, in the congregation of believers and in the political realm. Our faith is strengthened in our study of the Word of God, and tested as trustworthy in the world. The world is the furnace to test whether our faith is genuine. God our Father is the one who stirs the fire and firmly holds us in the testing. In this we “greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”

The following words of John Calvin give a further and true definition of the meaning of the trial of our faith in Christ: “This was a means of stirring up his love towards them, and his concern for their welfare, when he heard it that they were distinguished by faith and love. And, unquestionably, gifts of God that are so excellent ought to have such an effect upon us as to stir us up to love them wherever they appear.”

Our faith in Christ reveals the reality of the term “priesthood of believers.” We are not tested that we might serve a church body. We are tested that we may serve Christ. The congregation, of which Christ is the Head, becomes a “priesthood of believers.” For, wrote Peter, “ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (2:9).

As a “priesthood of believers” we are to show a true concern and love for one another. Our faith in Christ is shown in our good works. Our faith in Christ is tested that we may show that our faith in Christ is genuine. From this faith shows how practical is the faith Christ has given us. To have a concern for one another reveals the love of God, by which our own selfish desires are placed in the darkest hole available. We have a ministry to one another in our service to Christ. The trials and disciplines we receive from our Lord are for our benefit, granting us joy in Christ. Ought we not also do those things alone which lift each other up in the grace and love of Christ?

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Discussion: Why does our Lord test our faith?

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Lessons are based on the International Sunday School Lessons for Christian Teaching, copyright © 2013 by the Committee on the Uniform Series.