The Refiner's Fire

The Refiner's Fire

In the past year or so we've been talking about the shaking in Hebrews 12 and how we must be properly related to the kingdom or we will be shaken. It reminds me of what Jesus said in Luke 6 about the one who built his house on the rock and the one who built his house on sand. They both had storms, but the one that stood is the one which was built on the right foundation.In the shaking only that which is kingdom remains. There is a lot coming down the pike right now and we need to grounded in His word and properly related to His kingdom. In a time when we need to be unified, the body of Christ is all over the map spiritually and I believe the Lord is turning up the heat that the body of Christ will be purified. As I was praying this morning thoughts came to mind of a refiner. I would like to share some of those thoughts with you today.

There are those in the body of Christ today that think Christians are exempt from adversity and if we are going through difficult times it is because of a lack of faith. I do not question that some of my own ills have come from a lack of faith or seeds that I have sown that brought an unwanted harvest, but when I look at Jesus' disciples both before and after the resurrection, they encountered many troubles. I look at the life of Paul and see that he went through much adversity. In fact, he told young Timothy that those who live godly lives in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. In Romans 5:3,4 Paul said, "And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Trials produce endurance and endurance produces character. We definitely need character in the body of Christ. We are not wanting for characters, but we need character.

I am sure most of us have heard the story in one form or another of the man watching a goldsmith refine gold. He watched the goldsmith turn up the heat and then skim the dross off the surface. He would then turn up the heat some more. More impurities would come to the surface and the goldsmith would skim them off the surface. After watching this process for a while the observer asked, "How do you know when it's pure?" The goldsmith replied, "When I can clearly see my reflection." I must admit that there was a time when that story ministered to me, but I had gotten away from that way of thinking. The trying of our faith has a perfect or maturing work as we see in James.

I believe that we are entering a time where we will be tested. As the stock market goes down and our 401k's tank, can we say with confidence that God is our source? We will be tested in those areas that we have been tempted to lean on rather than having confidence in God. What are we holding on to? Some in the church are trying to hang on to God with one hand and the world with the other. Doublemindedness receives nothing from God. God will purify Christ's bride. God wants hearts without alloy. He searches for perfect or pure hearts. 2 Chronicles 16:9. To remove the dross, it is necessary to turn up the heat. Let's look at a few scriptures concerning the refiner.

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10. I know some would say that is old testament and we have a new covenant. Yes that's true, but this was written to a rebellious people. If we do not walk according to covenant can we reap the benefit of the covenant?

When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10b

He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as silver and gold, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness. Malachi 3:3

I will bring one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined and test them as gold is tested. They will call on my name, and I will answer them. I will say, "This is my people" and each one will say, "The Lord is my God." Zechariah 13:9

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake in Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12,13

Don't be surprised that you encounter trials. There will be trials. You may say the devil caused that trial or I brought it on myself. It may have come from the devil. It may have come from my own stupidity. It may have come from God. Trials will come, but we have this promise from God: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:28,29 The purposes of God are always redemptive and whether it came from the devil, from God or your own stupidity God is able to redeem it.

Purity must first happen on an individual basis before we see it corporately. If we purify our hearts individually, there will be corporate purity. The bride of Christ will be pure and spotless, without wrinkle. Trials will come, as in the parable of the wise builder and the foolish builder, they both had storms, but the one who built his house with a foundation laid in the obedience to the words of Christ had a house which withstood the storm. In these times of change we must have a foundation built upon the rock. We must hear His words and do them.

I pray that you will be blessed today. If you are going through a trial, the grace of God is available to bring good out of it. When the disciples were in the storm and it appeared their boat would sink, they did not have the faith to deal with the storm so they woke Jesus up and He dealt with the storm. If you are not able to deal with the storm you are in, seek Jesus, He's close by. May the Lord bless you exceedingly and give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.
In His love,
Herb Dean