The Fire
Fire is used to make gold and silver pure, but a person's heart is made pure by the LORD.
Proverbs 17:3
In olden days times gold or silver would be placed into a melting pot that was then hung over an open fire. The fire would heat up the melting pot, melt the metal, and force any impurities in the metal to rise to the surface. The refiner would then take the impurities off the surface of the molten metal. In this way the gold or silver would be purified and would become, as a result, more valuable.
In like manner, the Lord makes our hearts pure. Although a person receives the Holy Spirit upon accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and everything becomes new (2 Corinthians 5:17), the old sinful spiritual state still remains a factor in the life of that person (Galatians 5:17). Hence, sins like pride, impatience, selfishness, self-will, and envy can sometimes cause trouble and heartache.
The Lord, however, does not simply allow these impurities to harm us. Since He is a master refiner, He places us in His melting pot and allows us through fire so the impurities can be removed. As the author of Hebrews puts it, "The Lord disciplines everyone He loves; he chastens everyone he accepts as a child" (Hebrews 12:6).
Although the refining process is difficult, the good news is that we come out of it by the strength of the LORD. As Paul says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Do you feel you are going through fire, do not be afraid, the bible says in Isaiah 43:2 that even if you go through fire, it will not harm you, because Jesus is with you in this purification process, you will surely come out shining and more valuable and honored than before.
In like manner, the Lord makes our hearts pure. Although a person receives the Holy Spirit upon accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and everything becomes new (2 Corinthians 5:17), the old sinful spiritual state still remains a factor in the life of that person (Galatians 5:17). Hence, sins like pride, impatience, selfishness, self-will, and envy can sometimes cause trouble and heartache.
The Lord, however, does not simply allow these impurities to harm us. Since He is a master refiner, He places us in His melting pot and allows us through fire so the impurities can be removed. As the author of Hebrews puts it, "The Lord disciplines everyone He loves; he chastens everyone he accepts as a child" (Hebrews 12:6).
Although the refining process is difficult, the good news is that we come out of it by the strength of the LORD. As Paul says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Do you feel you are going through fire, do not be afraid, the bible says in Isaiah 43:2 that even if you go through fire, it will not harm you, because Jesus is with you in this purification process, you will surely come out shining and more valuable and honored than before.