1947.52 degrees Fahrenheit is the heat needed to purify gold. The Bible states in 1 Peter 1 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. This passage is clear. We as God’s children will “suffer grief in all kinds of trials” so that our faith will be “proven genuine”. This refinement of our faith by trials will “result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” As intense heat is needed to refine gold, we will experience intense heat in our lives so that we will become pure in our walk with Christ. God turns up the heat in our lives to the point that we have to trust Him. The only way through the fire of trials of life becomes Jesus.
Paul challenges us in Philippians 2:12&13 to 12 continue to work out your salvation (through the trials of life) with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Refinement by fire!
How does he do it? How “hot” is your marriage right now? How much crazy stuff is going on with your kids? How about the unyielding attitude of your boss or expectations of management? How about that “dang neighbor” next door who doesn’t take care of his lawn and is totally insensitive? How about a newly diagnosed disease or injury? How about unfaithfulness in a relationship? How about addictions that need to be conquered? How about idols that have to be removed because of the ramifications to God and our dearest relationships? On an on we can go. Life throws off the fires of refinement in many different ways. In all of these, we have to learn to look to and all out trust Him!
If we recognize a trial in our life, what should be our attitude? James tells us in chapter 1, 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
1947.52 F! It takes fire to refine our faith! Ouch but AMEN!
Barnabas Man 