Purified By Fire
The Bible says in Matthew 5:8, blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. Proverbs 17:3 (New International Version, NIV)
Intense heat has the ability to purify silver or gold. It brings the impurities to he top, called dross, where it can be skimmed off and removed. Similarly, it can take intense heat from fiery trials to purify our hearts. When things get heated up, so to speak, it reveals what is really in our hearts- good or bad character.
Some people will come out of the fire better, purified because they allow the trials of life to remove the impurities of motive and thought. Others come out the same or worse. God will use trials as a means to purify us- IF WE WILL SUBMIT TO THE PROCESS. He will use the heat to point out areas of pride, fear, unforgiveness, etc. We can submit and repent of such things in order to be cleansed and matured. God uses trials to purify our hearts and our faith so we have clean hands and complete trust in Him. And submitting to the purification process creates strength of character. It may be very uncomfortable, but well worth it.
Fire can strengthen steel or consume trash. The fire reveals what we’re made of and allows us to be purified of anything that would hinder us- if we allow it.
But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, Malachi 3:2-3 (New International Version, NIV)
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. I Peter 1:7 (KJV)
When we allow the fiery trials to help us mature into greater Christ-like character, we come forth as pure gold, fit for the Master’s use.
But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. II Timothy 2:19-21 (New Living Translation, NLT)
