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A further item of interest and importance is that the Greek word translated "honour" in
I Pet. 1: 7 is the same as that translated "precious" in I Pet. 2: 7. The trial of faith is
indeed "precious" if it eventuates in "honour" before the Lord.
The "appearing" of I Pet. 1: 7 is really the apocalypse, the unveiling, the revelation,
of Jesus Christ. The word suggests that He is now hidden from our sight by a veil, and
indeed the apostle goes on immediately to say: "Whom having not seen ye love." The
trial of faith synchronizes with the veiling of the Lord. It can but endure for a night, joy
coming in the morning of His presence.
The church of the One Body has not the "appearing" or "revelation" of the Lord as its
hope, but it surely has its hour of testing now in view of that day when Christ Who is our
life shall appear. May some encouragement have been ministered by these words
concerning the trial of faith which is much more precious than gold.
#3.
"The precious blood of Christ."
p. 60
The second jewel in this series of precious things is nothing less than "The precious
blood of Christ" (I Pet. 1: 18, 19). Peter, to reveal some of its preciousness, gives us two
tests: (1) A contrast, and (2) A comparison.
A gem of the first water is enhanced if it be surrounded with stones of inferior quality,
or against a background that is dark and lustreless. Let us look at this contrast:--
"Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver
and gold" (I pet. 1: 18).
Both Peter and Paul were taught by grace to consider both silver and gold as of small
value and of little worth, and it might be salutary for us all in this day of fictitious values
to read what these servants of God have written and said as to silver and gold. To the
lame man at the gate of the temple Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none" (Acts 3: 6),
but in the name of Jesus of Nazareth he gave to the lame man more than gold or silver
could buy.
"I have coveted no man's silver, or gold" (Acts 20: 33) declared the apostle who gave
so freely because of the grace bestowed upon him. To the Athenians he said: "The
Godhead is (not) like unto gold or silver" (Acts 17: 29), and both Peter and Paul
strongly discouraged the "wearing of gold" and "putting on of apparel" (I Pet. 3: 3), and
the adorning of oneself with "broided hair, or gold, or pearls" (I Tim. 2: 9). Equally
with Peter, Paul emphasized the fact that the redeemed are "bought with a price"
(I Cor. 6: 20), and both knew the truth of the statement of the Psalmist:--