If Necessary

“In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” I Peter 1:6,7

Our pastors started preaching a series of sermons from I Peter shortly after my husband’s death, and it couldn’t have been more timely, especially in light of the trials and testing my husband and I faced throughout his 5 1/2 months of rehabilitation after his stroke, before Jesus called him Home. Peter’s exhortations to believers, in his two epistles, to be strong in one’s faith in the midst of trials, are particularly noteworthy because Peter was so weak in his faith at a most crucial moment when Jesus was about to be crucified. He was afraid to be identified with Christ and denied his association with Him 3 times. But here was a man who did a 180 after Jesus’ death. If anyone needs encouragement that a life can dramatically change for the better, through the power of Christ, Peter is your poster child.

I had never really focused on two little words in I Peter 1:6 until recently: “if necessary.” The word “if” can be used in two different ways. I call them the conditional “if” and the certain “if”. The result of a conditional “if” is dependent on an action or a choice. For example, “If you eat your dinner, then you will get dessert.” Or, “If it stops raining, then we will go swimming.” Or, a more life-changing example, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, [then] you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9). Confession and faith are prerequisites to salvation through Christ. If, then.

Then there’s the certain “if.” Scripture is full of them. For example, “If any man is in Christ [and there are so many], he is a new creation.” (II Corinthians 5:17). It’s a given. “If we confess our sins [and his faithful followers will], He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9). “If you know that He is righteous [and we do], [then] you know that every one also who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (I John 2:29).

And from James, “For we all stumble in many ways. If any one does not stumble in what he says, [then] he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.” (James 3:2). In this case, due to our inherent sinful natures, it is a certainty that we will not be able to avoid stumbling in what we say and will, therefore, never be able to bridle our tongues, let alone our entire bodies, while on this earth. It is not possible to be perfect on earth. That is what our ongoing sanctification through tribulation is all about. Perfection awaits us when we finally meet Jesus face to face. As James says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4).

There are examples of where the certain “ifs” confront personal choices. For instance, “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ [and there is], if there is any consolation of love [and there is], if there is any fellowship of the Spirit [and there is], if any affection and compassion [and there are], make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1-4). Our triune God–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–provides us with the means to encourage, love, fellowship with and be compassionate towards our fellow men and treat them as if they are more important than us. We have been given the tools, but we must use them; it takes selflessness, intentionality, and practice.

When I read, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary [and it is], you have been distressed by various trials…,” I will admit that I snorted inside my head at the clause, “if necessary.” Not with disdain, but with the certainty of the truth of this tiny statement. I have been taught and have experienced the fact that suffering is an inherent part of our earthly journey. It is a defining characteristic; it is an undeniable, certain “if.” It is inescapable; it’s not optional. We will face many trials and tribulations while we live on this earth.

We are commanded to rejoice in the midst of these trials–to rejoice always and to give thanks in everything. I am so very, very thankful that God allowed me to go through the joys and the trials of my husband’s stroke, rehabilitation, and graduation to heaven before the Coronavirus hit. It gave me precious time to focus on him and on us. Had the timing been different, I might have been restricted in being able to spend time with him–his final weeks and days–and it would have been heartbreaking. God was so generous and gracious to me. I ache for those who have been restricted from visiting their loved ones in similar situations at this time.

I am so very encouraged to see the large number of people who are finding their hope and comfort in Jesus during these uncertain times. Without Him, we have no hope, while on earth or when we face eternity. My prayer is that those who are filled with anxiety about their future, especially under the current circumstances, will place their trust in Christ and take refuge in the shadow of His wings.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust!”
For it is He who delivers you from the snare of the trapper
And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His pinions,
And under His wings you may seek refuge;
His faithfulness is a shield and bulwark.

For He will give His angels charge concerning you,
To guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:1-4, 11)