The Value of Fire

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 1 Peter 1:7 (KJV)

The trial (dokimion), the proving, or, test, of your faith (pistis), of your conviction of the truth that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ, and the supply of all that we have need of, is more precious than gold.

Earthly elements, such as gold, which man values so greatly are nothing compared with faith (pistis).

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

Faith is not faith until it has passed a trial (a test). Faith is tempered in the heat of battle and the fire of adversity. It will be found to stand through all circumstances and situations much like that of the Giant Sequoia trees of California.

These magnificent trees depend upon the flames of the forest fire to open its cones. If there is no fire, there will be no new trees. The seeds hidden and locked away in the cones will never be released to fulfill their destiny until fire provides the heat to open them.

If the seed were to drop on the normal bed of pine needles that is found in the forest, they would not take root and provide the next generation of trees. The Sequoia seed needs a bed of ash in which to germinate, root and grow.

So, too, faith. Faith that has grown strong through the fire, endured the flames of the enemy, gone through the rigors of life and found rest in the ashes of the past can rise as incense to God, the Creator and ruler of all things. Through its exercise brings “praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.”. To Him be all the honor, all the glory and all the praise.