“Rejoice in this, even though for a little while you may have to experience grief in various trials.” (1 Peter 1:6) Rejoice in what? That you are being protected by Father’s power until you have received your inheritance, gifted to you because Yeshua chose to suffer a bloody and horrendous death to pay the price for your sin and mine. Do you ever wonder why that can’t be the happy ending–Jesus died for us, we get to spend eternity in heaven? Why must we suffer trials? 

“The purpose of these trials is so that your trust’s genuineness, which is far more valuable than perishable gold, will be judged worthy of praise, glory and honor at the revealing of Yeshua the Messiah.” (1 Peter 1:7) Even gold must pass through the fire to be proved genuine. 

Following this Good News of salvation, we are instructed to get ready for work, stay under control, and keep our minds fixed on the gift. It may be a little confusing that we should be ready to work because it is stressed to us over and over again that we cannot earn our admission by our works; we are human beings, not human doings. However, if you have fully trusted in the resurrection and your redemption, doing will come naturally. You will fall head over heels in love with Jesus and that love will propel you to want to do things that will please Him. 

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but has no works to prove it? Is such “faith” able to save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. And someone says to him, ‘Shalom! Keep warm and eat hearty!’ without giving him what he needs, what good does it do? Thus, faith by itself, unaccompanied by actions, is dead.” (James 2:14-17)

We are also told not to let our old desires lead us. We are to grow in our relationship with Christ to become more like Him. Have you ever been taught to choose your friends carefully because you will become like the people you hang out with? Start hanging out more with the One who proved, and continues to prove His love for you. We can always become closer than we are, as long as we walk in the flesh. Jesus is the only One who will never leave you or disappoint you. Shouldn’t your aim be to do the same for Him? How can you prove your love to Jesus today?