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Refiner's Fire
What is the worth of man? Can it be measured in dollars, rubles,
francs, pasos, shillings, pounds Stirling, or even in today's euros, the
basic unit of currency among participating European Union countries,
introduced in 1999 as an alternate denomination for noncash transactions.
The euro replaced the existing national units in these countries in 2002.
But has the worth of man changed at all? It would seem so since in this
new generation, human life has little value. The life sustaining fire has
all but gone out.
What will it take to rekindle the flame? Jesus said "As long as I am
in the world, I am the light of the world.."(John 9:5) But before Jesus
ascended he said, "Ye are the light of the world."(Matthew 5:14)
Therefore we are commissioned by our Lord to bring forth the light as He
brought forth the light and to be a witness proclaiming the gospel of
peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:15)
Jesus has taken us, a coarse unsuitable rough stone from the earth and
refined us as silver is refined. As His disciples we have submitted to
the refiner's fire for the work of purification allowing the dross to be
skimmed off so that His glorious image can be seen in us. However, as we
are encumbered with life's responsibilities are we allowing our light to
grow dim, perhaps even in danger of permitting that light to go out? We
submitted to the refiner's fire, but are we now allowing the result to
become dull and tarnished?
God is the refining fire that purifies and cleanses that His disciples
may be the light of the world. There is a beautiful allusion in the
prophecy of Malachi to the refining of the precious, metal, silver. The
Lord of hosts is represented "sitting as a refiner and purifier of
silver"(Malachi 3:3). In the process of refining silver, the workman sits
with his eye steadily fixed on the surface of the molten metal, and the
operation is only known to be complete when he sees his own image
reflected in it. So in this passage we have a beautiful figure
descriptive of God's purpose in placing his people in the furnace of
affliction, while he is, as it were, seated by their side, his all seeing
eye being steadily intent on the work of purifying, and his wisdom and
love engaged on their behalf until his own glorious image is reflected on
their souls, and the work of purifying is fully accomplished.
It is imperative that we submit to the refiner's fire for the work of
purification allowing the dross to be skimmed off so that His glorious
image can be seen in us and we remain the light of the world. To the
saints "he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the
saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ:" (Ephesians 4:11-12). Therefore, Saint, Be watchful and careful
that your light doesn't flicker or grow dim.
Solomon’s Porch Thought for the Day
"But now, O Lord, thou art our father;
we are the clay, and thou our potter;
and we all are the work of thy hand. "
(Isa 64:8)
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