Job 5:7 – “People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire.”

Anyone who has ever watched a fire knows that if there is real wood burning in a fire then there are going to be sparks.

Job is stating in God’s Word that all people are born into a world where trouble will be common to man; little did he know that his present trial was anything but common.

But it’s true that each of us is going to have our fair share of trials in life because trials are common to all human beings.

Everyone’s life comes with its own set of troubles but, Christian’s will suffer trials separate from those experienced by the rest of the world.

I Peter 4:12,13 – “(12) Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. (13) Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.”

First of all we must take notice that Peter is not referring here to troubles common to all people.

Instead, he is forewarning Christians, and only Christians, that in addition to your “normal trials,” i.e. the troubles that are common to all people in this world; those of us who have “partnered” with Jesus Christ, are going to experience troubles exclusive to that partnership, brought upon you because of your Partner. He refers to these as “fiery trials.”

And what he means by “fiery trials” is that we will experience …adversities, difficulties, and troubles in your life “ignited” solely because you are yoked to Jesus Christ.

Common trials which everyone else in the world suffers are not “fiery trials.” Here are some common trials.

I Peter 4:15 – “If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people's affairs.”

Only Christians experience “fiery trials” because these trials are exclusively “Christ-ignited” and they will not be experienced by anyone who is not partnered with Jesus. These trials are only uniquely experienced by those joined to Jesus Christ because these trials come upon us because of our association with Christ!!!

Therefore, you must understand that when you join yourself to Jesus Christ and you suffer fiery difficulties due to your relationship with Him, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't for you or that God isn’t with you. Quite the opposite is true.

Instead, be glad that you are sharing in the very same sufferings that Christ experienced because this is how the world treated Jesus; and this is how they treat His followers.

John 15:18,19 – “(18) If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. (19) The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.”

Shunning by the world is one of the “fiery trials” that come on you because of your association with Christ!!!

So, be forewarned! Your relationship with God through Jesus Christ ignites trials in your life that people who are not yoked to Jesus Christ will never experience and will never be able to relate to.

Fiery trials are unique to your life because you are a sincere Christian. People who do not have a relationship with God through Christ Jesus will not be able to relate to or understand what you are going through.

Instead they will sense a strange alienation from you because Christ separates you from the rest of the world. It’s unavoidable.

If you’re an uncompromising Christian then, simply because of the “spiritual-dynamics” attached to your belonging to Jesus Christ and your closeness to Him, you will be subject to both unique troubles and blessings caused by Jesus...

FIERY TRIALS

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