Purpose: to purify!
"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." (Zechariah 13:9 KJV)
Precious metals are put in the refiner's fire to rid them of impurities.
As the metal melts, the impurities come to the surface where they are removed by master smith. Those impurities are called dross!
Then down the metal goes - back into the fire! Once again to be heated to the melting point and the dross again floats to surface! The master smith again removes the dross and the metal is cooled! This process is repeated over and over until the master smith sees his reflection in the metal. Then he knows it is pure!
The same goes for the refining fires in our lives! God uses them to remove the dross (sin) to purify us!
But what happens when we don't repent of the sin; when we will not let go of the things of the flesh that separates us from Him? What happens then? He turns up the fire and puts us back in the oven! God is determined to rid us of those things that will keep us from spending eternity with Him! Sometimes there are big sins and then sometimes there are the "little sins" like pride, unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, worry or fear! Those little sins that "don't hurt anyone but ourselves!" THAT is a lie because all sin affects everyone around us! And even the little impurities mar the reflection of Him in us!
Often we have assumed, when the fires continue, or just keep getting hotter and hotter as our trials go on and on, and get worse and worse, that it's about endurance! But consider this; it just might be about surrender!
When the SAME trial occurs over and over, again and again then it's not about endurance. It's about a refusal to submit.
If the sin is pride, holding fast is like being stuck in the mud with our tires buried up to the axel; "ya ain't going nowhere!" We have to dig our way out and we have to have help! We must ask for help, and that involves having someone to assist us! When the issue is pride - THAT is the last thing we want to do! And THAT is what HAS to happen to remove it!
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
James 5:16 KJV
Confessing your sin and repenting of that sin to another person is the key to healing! That is why so many stay sick, because denominations have not obeyed this scripture for generations! Confession is hard; it's painful and it's obedience is rewarded with freedom and healing!
Obedience and submission to God and His Commandments is a requirement; not an option!
WHEN the fire gets hot enough; WHEN we are left in there long enough; God knows - that WHEN THAT point arrives, we WILL submit!
“for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” 1 Peter 5:5b-6 KJV
If at THAT point we ULTIMATELY refuse, then like satan we will bear the consequences of our actions or lack thereof!
“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18 KJV
HE IS GOD and we are not!
Examine your heart! Ask God to show you if there is anything hiding there of which you need to repent and then find someone you can trust then confess and repent of your sin!
You will be healed!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 7/26/16
No comments:
Post a Comment