Enduring the Refiner's Fire
Jesus taught his disciples to be perfect as God is perfect. Jesus says, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matt. 5:48). Strong’s defines the word “perfect” used in this passage of scripture as G5046, teleios: This definition of perfect means brought to its end, finished; lacking nothing necessary to completeness, perfect, mature (Blue Letter Bible). James writes, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing” (James 1:4).
God will use leaders that have a genuine care for our souls to minister to our spiritual growth and development. Those who have authority over us are ordained of God. Paul writes, “LET every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1). We must submit ourselves to the authority of those that God has placed over us. The Bible says, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Heb. 13:17).
The refiner’s fire is for our good as it brings about righteousness in us. The fire purifies and removes all imperfections that would prevent us from being vessels of honor. God says, “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God” (Zech. 13:9).
Perfection in Christ Jesus means surrendering to God’s will. Changing the way that we are accustomed to doing things does not come easily. We need God’s help. God says, “And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness” (Mal. 3:3).
Although the refiner’s fire is a grievous experience, we should not try to escape it, but we should instead embrace it. When we endure the fire, we are rewarded with the fruits of righteousness. The Bible says, “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11).
Those who run from the refiner’s fire will find that it is waiting for them at their next destination. This is often the reason some people move from church to church. Paul writes, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6). There is no escaping the refiner’s fire. Those who try to escape it end of living a life that could be described as a never-ending roller coaster ride.
The refiner’s fire is not to destroy us. God chastens us because he loves us. King Solomon writes, “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth” (Proverbs 3:11-12). The Bible says, “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons” (Heb. 12:7-8).
However, as you are going through the refiner’s fire, the enemy will come against you in full force. Jesus says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). The enemy thinks that he can destroy you when you are at your weakest. However, it is during these times that the strong right hand of the Lord intervenes in your favor. David says, “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me” (Psa. 138:7).
Although Job complained of being “bitter” that he was not able to plead his case before God, he understood that things would turn around for his good. Job says, “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). Knowing that the refiner’s fire will bring about the good in us helps us to endure it. Paul writes, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28).
While I have found myself in one fiery trial after another this past year, this has been the best year of my Christian life for spiritual growth. My faith in God is greater than it has ever been before; my relationship to God is closer than it has ever been before; I am stronger spiritually than I have ever been before; I have cleaved to the Word of God more than ever before; and I am more confident in my soul salvation than ever before. The refiner’s fire that I have endured this past year has resulted in great spiritual rewards, therefore, I will continue to pray that God will make me a perfect woman in Christ Jesus.
If you would like to have a personal relationship with Jesus, you must be born-again according to Acts 2:38 which reads, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
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Diane Margo Penny is an author, content creator, social media specialist, and Web Designer.
Works Cited:
The Holy Bible, King James Version. Giant Print Reference ed. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson. Publishers, 1990.
[Blue Letter Bible.org] Accessed 6 Dec. 2023.
Image Citation:
wealth-4549820_1920. 12995263. Pixabay.com. Web. 6 Dec. 2023.
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