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The Refiner's Fire

The past couple of months have been difficult. Nothing earth-shattering has happened, no tragedies. I have been looking in the mirror of my soul. I have seen some ugly things. These "things" always come up when I pray earnestly for a clean heart. I'm referring to heart matters such as envy, jealousy, bitterness, unforgiveness, pride, idolatry, even. It's the ugliness I see when I say, "Father, that I might melt into you!"

You see in order to become one with Christ, He has to clean us up. He has to bring those unsightly things to the surface that we try to bury inside (all the while praying no one else sees them) in order for us to deal with them. This is The Refiner's Fire. The fire that burns out the dross to bring forth gold. That same fire referenced in Malachi 3:2 which states, "...He will be like a refiner's fire or the launderer's soap." John the Baptist foretells of Jesus' coming with "His winnowing fan" in hand and thoroughly clearing out and cleaning His threshing floor and gathering and storing His wheat. John goes on to say, "...but the chaff He will burn up with fire that cannot be put out."

These are painful times, but as Paul says, "I count it joy!" Why, you ask? The answer is simple. When you make through the firey trial, or overcome the hurdle, you are that much closer to Him. You are that much higher and that much deeper and that much closer to being the one He has created you to be. We can rest in the knowledge that all things are truly working together for our good (Romans 8:28). You know even King David states in Psalms 66:10, "For You O God, have proved us; You have tried us as silver is tried, refined and purified."

A few weeks ago, I was in our Sunday morning worship service. The scripture came to me of how we have a Savior who was tempted in every way as we are, but He was without sin. I asked the Lord, "How did you do that?" He responded, "I kept my eyes on the Father." Jesus said he did nothing, spoke nothing lest He heard it from the Father first. That's the key. Keep our eyes on Him and we will make it through the fire and come forth as gold!

"So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference." Revelation 3:18-19

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