THE REFINER'S FIRE...purifying, sacred flames that conform us to the image of Christ

An Encore Presentation

“If you are just now in the fire, dear soul, be of good cheer – it shows at least that you are silver, and are capable of performing more acceptable service in God’s holy Temple.”
(Meyer)

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." -Malachi 3:3

This verse puzzled some people in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the folks offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the person called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. They didn't mention anything about the reason for their interest beyond the curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As they watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained, "in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities."

The person thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then they thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver."

Asking the silversmith, "is it true that you have to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined?" The man answered “yes…” He not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. For if the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The person was silent for a moment and then asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."

All Things For Good
What a simple yet profound story isn't it beloved? In it is revealed God's sovereign purpose of grace through every one of life's trials that He allows to touch His own children. These are the "good and perfect gifts" of James 1 that fall from above. We usually don't think of our daily pains and struggles as "gifts" do we? But this is part of God's loving sanctifying plan to make us more like Jesus; to conform us to Christlikeness; and to allow us to be placed sometimes in overwhelming circumstances where in our deliverance HE will receive all the glory. As the familiar words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:28 says,

“And He works all things work together for good to those that love God and are called according to His purpose.”

What does this really mean? First of all, Paul is not giving the church a magical mantra that we chant in the very hardest times of life so at the end of the day all things are always cheery, rosy, and resolved for the Christian. Some have unwittingly tried to use it in this fashion which it wasn't designed to be. So then we must rightly ask, "how is it that “all things [truly] work together for good…?” Romans 8:29 gives us the answer:

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren” (emphasis mine).

THERE is the cause for rejoicing; there is where our great hope lies; there is the reason for victory in the midst of trial; there is the fountain of joy in the midst of scalding tears. Every trial—even when purposed by others for our harm, God will use it for our good in that we have been “predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son.”

Not Consumed; Not Destroyed; but Purified
John Piper so powerfully expounds on the refiner’s fire this way:

“He is a refiner's fire, and that makes all the difference. A refiner's fire does not destroy indiscriminately like a forest fire. A refiner's fire does not consume completely like the fire of an incinerator. A refiner's fire refines. It purifies. It melts down the bar of silver or gold, separates out the impurities that ruin its value, burns them up, and leaves the silver and gold intact. He is like a refiner's fire.

It does say FIRE. And therefore purity and holiness will always be a dreadful thing. There will always be a proper "fear and trembling" in the process of becoming pure. We learn it from the time we are little children: never play with fire! And it's a good lesson! Therefore, Christianity is never a plaything. And the passion for purity is never flippant. He is like fire and fire is serious. You don't fool around with it.

But it does say, he is like a REFINER'S fire. And therefore this is not merely a word of warning, but a tremendous word of hope. The furnace of affliction in the family of God is always for refinement, never for destruction.” (John Piper, November 29, 1987, Desiring God Ministries).

Wisdom from Ages Past

“The beauty of this picture is that the refiner looks into the open furnace, or pot, and knows that the process of purifying is complete, and the dross all burnt away, when he can see his image plainly reflected in the molten metal.” (Baldwin)

“What a comfort it is that He surrenders this work to no other hands than his own. He may give his angels charge concerning us when we are in danger; but he keeps our purification beneath his special superintendence.” (Meyer)

“The sitting posture shows that the refiner may seem indifferent, but He is not. He is carefully working with the silver, burning off and scraping away the dross that that the flames bring to the top. “I think I see in the sitting down of the refiner a settled patience, as if he seemed to say, ‘This is stern work, and I will sit down to it, for it will need care, and time, and constant watchfulness.’” (Spurgeon)

In the Winepress of His Love
Can we say with Peter today from the crucible of grace: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

“Who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5). This perhaps will be one of the greatest cordials to a Christian in heaviness: that he is not kept by his own power, but is kept by the power of God, and that he is not left in his own keeping, but is kept by the Most High. “My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psa. 73:26). “For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day” (2 Tim. 1:12).

But take away the doctrine of the Savior’s keeping His people, and where is our hope? What is there in the gospel worth any of our preaching or worth any of our receiving? I know that He has said, “and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). "Lord, but suppose they should grow faint—that they should begin to murmur in their affliction. Shall they not perish then? No, they shall never perish. But suppose the pain should grow so hot that their faith should fail. Shall they not perish then? No" says, Spurgeon. “They shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

AH! This is the doctrine, the cheering assurance “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,” (1 Peter 1:6).

So if today you are in the heat of the flame and are in the center of the blaze of His refiner’s fire, remember that God has His eye on you and by His grace will keep purifying you (He will not let it destroy you) until He sees His image reflected in you.

I want to close with the impacting lyric of the song, "The Refiner's Fire," that my friend Steve Green recorded in 1989 for his album called, "The Mission." It is written by Brian Doerksen and perfectly captures the heart and truth of this post.

May it deeply encourage you today in your walk with Jesus. To paraphrase John Piper, "don't waste the flame; embrace it."

In the tears of His sanctifying grace,
Steve

The Refiner's Fire

V1:
There burns a fire with sacred heat
White hot with holy flame
And all who dare pass through its blaze
Will not emerge the same
Some as bronze, and some as silver
Some as gold, then with great skill
All are hammered by their sufferings
On the anvil of His will

Chorus:
The Refiner's fire
Has now become my souls desire
Purged and cleansed and purified
That the Lord be glorified
He is consuming my soul
Refining me, making me whole
No matter what I may lose
I choose the Refiner's fire

V2:
I'm learning now to trust His touch
To crave the fire's embrace
For though my past with sin was etched
His mercies did erase
Each time His purging cleanses deeper
I'm not sure that I'll survive
Yet the strength in growing weaker
Keeps my hungry soul alive

There is No Pit So Deep Where God's Love Is Not Deeper Still...unshakable assurance through trials

God's Love Turns Sinners into Sons
1 John 3:1 Look at how great a lovea the Father has given us, that we should be called God’s children. And we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it didn’t know Him.
1 John 3:2 Dear friends, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is.
1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself just as He is pure.

God's Love is a Justifying, Hopeful, Preserving Love
Rom. 8:31 ¶ What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
Rom. 8:32 He did not even spare His own Son, but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant us everything?
Rom. 8:33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies.
Rom. 8:34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.
Rom. 8:35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Rom. 8:36 As it is written:

¶ Because of You we are being put to death all day long;
we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.

Rom. 8:37 ¶ No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us.
Rom. 8:38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
Rom. 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!

God's Love Surpasses Knowledge
Eph. 3:14 ¶ For this reason I bow my knees before the Father
Eph. 3:15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
Eph. 3:16 |I pray| that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,
Eph. 3:17 and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. |I pray that| you, being rooted and firmly established in love,
Eph. 3:18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and width, height and depth,
Eph. 3:19 and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Eph. 3:20 ¶ Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think— according to the power that works in you—
Eph. 3:21 to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Though We Are Great Sinners, God is a Greater Savior
Eph. 2:1 ¶ And you were dead in your trespasses and sins
Eph. 2:2 in which you previously walked according to this worldly age, according to the ruler of the atmospheric domain, the spirit now working in the disobedient.
Eph. 2:3 We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and by nature we were children under wrath, as the others were also.
Eph. 2:4 But God, who is abundant in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us,
Eph. 2:5 made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. By grace you are saved!
Eph. 2:6 He also raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavens,a in Christ Jesus,
Eph. 2:7 so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace in |His| kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
Eph. 2:8 For by gracea you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—
Eph. 2:9 not from works, so that no one can boast.
Eph. 2:10 For we are His creation—created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.

What is the Message of the Bridge Collapse in Minnesota?...a biblical response

In the midst of such tragic and painful events such as the recent collapse of the bridge in Minnesota this past week, what are the lessons to be learned, what is the message we should take away from such profound tragedy, and what should be our response as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ?

To those important questions I humbly offer the following:

1. Begin with God; He is Sovereign
The sovereignty of God may be defined as the exercise of His supremacy-Being infinitely elevated above the highest creature, He is the Most High, Lord of heaven and earth. Subject to none, influenced by none, absolutely independent; God does as He pleases, only as He pleases always as He pleases. None can thwart Him, none can hinder Him. So His own Word expressly declares: "My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure" (Isaiah 46:10); "He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand" (Daniel 4:35).
Consider these verses:

Is. 45:7 The One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the LORD who does all these.

Psalm 135:6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in heaven, and in earth,
in the seas, and all deep places

Lam. 3:37-40 Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass, unless the Lord has commanded it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both good and ill go forth? ¶ Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins? Let us examine and probe our ways, and let us return to the LORD.

One of the most flagrant sins of this age is irreverence. By irreverence I am not now thinking of open blasphemy, or the taking of God's name in vain. Irreverence is, also, failure to ascribe the glory, which is due the great and dreadful majesty of the Almighty. It is the limiting of His power and actions by our degrading conceptions: it is the bringing of the Lord God down to our level. There are multitudes of those who do not profess to be Christians who deny that God is the omnipotent Creator, and there are multitudes of professing Christians who deny that God is absolute Sovereign. Men boast of their free will, prate of their power, and are proud of their achievements. They know not that their lives are at the sovereign disposal of the Divine Despot.

Even in tragedy such as the bridge giving way this past week, we may rest in the knowledge that God is sovereign over all things, including these kinds and place our confidence in the Lord's providential hand in all things. Suffering is part of our fallen world; trials and tribulations will come; and therefore, as believers in the Lord and His Sovereign control over all His creatures and creation, we find unshakable comfort in the reality that He is working all things for our good and His glory.

God not only created everything, but everything, which He created, is subject to His immediate control. God rules over the works of His hands. God governs the creatures He has made. God reigns with universal dominion.

2. "...weep with those that weep." (Roms. 12:15)
Because we begin with God and His irresistible and absolute sovereignty over all things, then when people are hurting and their lives are devastated by life's unexpected profound events, we are free to adhere to the words of the Apostle Paul when he said, "weep with those that weep." Hurt with them; empathize in their despair and agony.

This was something our Lord did as well. He wept with Mary, Martha and others at the death of His friend Lazarus (John 11:30-37). Christlike compassion does not begin by proclaiming the story of the tower falling killing 18 people (Luke 13:1-4) in the immediate face of disaster to cover our theological assertions. That would not be love, but calloused religious pride.

But if you live in the Minnesota area and know some of the families deeply touched by this tragedy, a powerful ministry to them is to initially identify with them in their tears and crushed hearts. Weep with them; empathize with them; identify with their pain and show compassion to them in their suffering. This is not a call to be emotional, bleeding hearts - but is the physical empathy representative of genuine Christ-honoring love (1 Cor. 13:1-7).

3. "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matt. 22:39)
This is the second of the two great commandments. Not only should we identify with them in their pain, but continue to walk with them in their needs. What a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate the love and mercy of our Lord to those who have been directly affected by this tragedy. This may manifest itself by providing meals for these dear people; offering others a ride to work or even having your church help get them a new car; if there was the loss of one of the parents, the surviving parent may need help with their children in the weeks and months to come... Many ways to practically assist others. Whatever the case may be, daily care for people during these days can communicate much to them of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation." 1 Pet. 2:12.

4. "pray always..."
Most of us are looking on at a distance at this tragedy and might be asking, "what can we do?" As Christians, one thing we can all do is pray.

Pray for the pastors and churches and other believers in the Minnesota area for strength, wisdom, and endurance as they daily minister to others and speak to this situation. "With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints," (Eph. 6:19).

Pray also that the Lord will use this as a means by which His gospel is proclaimed and many hearts would be made open to the hope of the gospel. "Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation." (Roms. 10:1)

5. "give a reason for the hope that is in you"
National tragedies such as this one often provide great opportunity to share our faith. In fact, you will find as I have already, people will approach you and ask you very pointed and penetrating questions concerning suffering, death, God, hope, etc. This bridge collapse is no exception. In the daily conversation with friends, family and coworkers, questions on this will undoubtedly come up.

So be ready beloved, "to give a reason for the hope that is in you." And do so Peter says with "gentleness and reverence." (1 Peter 3:15-16). Longsuffering mixed with grace and respect should be the demeanor of all who name the name of Christ in ministering to others during these days. But when asked, be ready to talk to them about who Jesus is; His finished work on the cross; His bodily resurrection from the grave; His gospel; and what saving faith truly is.

6. "compel them to be reconciled to God"
When you have walked with people in and through their deepest pain, inevitably they will ask you about your faith in Christ and this is a great joy to be able to proclaim to the gospel.

When doing so, humbly but lovingly call them to repentance (Acts 17:30-31); command them to follow Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:24-26); to flee the wrath to come (1 Thess. 1:10); and compel them to be reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:17-21). And do so in humility, brokenness, tears, and love.

Some well meaning Christians in their zeal to proclaim Christ and His gospel during these kinds of tragic events might "feel led" to just coldly blurt out their theology, rather than patiently wih gentleness explain carefully and compassionately the good news of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Don't minimize the gospel or sentimentalize it; give the whole gospel, but give it graciously.

As we hold up the Law of God it acts as a tutor pointing people to Christ; it shuts the mouths of all people for "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."The Law convicts of sin and prepares the fallow hearts to receive the seed of the gospel. So as we are serving, identifying, walking with, loving, and praying for these dear people and their families, may the Lord give some the opportunity face to face to remind them of the fragility of life; that we are vapor that evaporates so quickly; and that no one knows the moment that their soul will be required of them. Those people traveling across that bridge had no idea that it would soon collapse and end some of their lives. Call them to follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior of their lives so that in any unexpected moment as this, they do not have to fear death, sin, judgment, and the grave (Heb. 2:14-16).

7. "the fields are white with harvest, but the workers are few"
Lastly, we live not only in a fallen world, but one marked by tragedy almost daily. The days are growing evil beloved and we must not sleep them away.

What is the message of the bridge collapse to the church?

Be urgent about the gospel. Redeem the time; make the most of every opportunity for the days are evil. We are dealing with people's lives for eternity. We should not pass away the days by being consumed with the trivialities of our lives. "Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel..." Paul said. Is that your passion and burden today? Are we marked by an urgency in as witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ. "Repent and believe" should be on the tongues of all true Christians. When was the last time you explained the gospel to someone, encouraged them to be followers of Jesus Christ and talked with them about eternity?

Today is the day beloved. May we live as if this day were our last with the care, urgency, love and hope in the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In closing, I have included a lyric to a song that I wrote (along with the help of Isaac Watts) when I went through a very tragic time in my life. May it encourage you all in the person of our God.

As the day draws near...
Steve
2 Cor. 4:5-7

The Sovereign Hand
Music by SJ Camp; Lyric by Camp/Watts

1. Behold the Potter and the clay, He forms His vessels as He please
Such is our God and such are we, the subjects of His high decrees
Does not the Workman's power extend, o'er all the mass which part to choose?
And mold it for a nobler end and which to leave for viler use

The Lord is in control
And He brings peace to our troubled soul
Nothing can shake His sovereign hand
He's the beginning and He is the end

2. May not the Sovereign Lord on high, dispense His favors as He will?
Choose some to life while others die and yet be just and gracious still?
What if to make His terror known He let His patience long endure
Suffering rebels to go on and seal their own destruction sure?

The Lord is in control
and His Law convicts our sinful our soul
Yet, He is the sinner's Friend
He's the beginning and He is the end

3. What if He mean to show His grace and His electing love employs
To mark out some of mortal race and form them fit for heavenly joys?
Shall man reply against His Lord and call His Maker's ways unjust?
The thunder of whose dreadful word can crush, a thousand worlds to dust

The Lord is in control
And He brings hope to our desperate soul
Because He lives we face tomorrow again
He's the beginning and He is the end

4. But O, my soul, if truths so bright should dazzle and confound thy sight
Yet still His written will obey and wait the great decisive day
Then shall He make His justice known and the whole world before His throne
With joy or terror shall confess, the glory of His righteousness

The Lord is in control
and He brings grace to our revengeful soul
We're free to forgive the most evil of men
He's the beginning and He is the end

This song can be heard through the online store at AudienceONE Ministries.
It is available in MP3 format from the CD, Desiring God.

A Time for Prayer for the Families of the Minnesota Bridge Collapse

Words of Hope and Comfort
Psa. 61:1 ¶ Hear my cry, O God;
Give heed to my prayer.
Psa. 61:2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Psa. 61:3 For You have been a refuge for me,
A tower of strength against the enemy.
Psa. 61:4 Let me dwell in Your tent forever;
Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah.

Rom. 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Rom. 8:38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, Rom. 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,

1Pet. 1:3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pet. 1:4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Pet. 1:5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1Pet. 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
1Pet. 1:7 so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
1Pet. 1:8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
1Pet. 1:9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.

Titus 3:4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,
Titus 3:5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
Titus 3:7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.