Refiner’s Fire
Matthew 5:8 reads, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” A pure heart is required in Jesus’ disciples—how does He accomplish it? Trials and Testing! See James 1:2-4 … “Count it all joy when you fall
into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” A pure heart allows us to see God. How do we see Him? In Scripture; in creation; in history; and in the circumstances of our lives—“By faith he (Moses) forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible.” (Hebrews 11:27) Let’s define a few words in this passage. First “pure” is the Greek word katharos, which means cleansed. Second is “heart” the translation of the word kardia, the root of our English word cardiac. Figuratively, this word refers to our inner drives and motives. Third is the phrase “shall see”, the translation of horao, meaning to discern clearly. Have you experienced trials in your Christian life? Trials reveal the genuineness of your faith. But there is a problem—we will not seek a pure heart on our own, because of sin. So, God uses a refiner’s fire! See Isaiah 48:10 … “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” What is the furnace of affliction in your life? Silver is impure in its natural state. Silver ore is heated until it melts into a free-flowing liquid; less dense impurities float to the top and are skimmed off. The metal is now 90% pure: cooling traps the remaining impurities inside the solid. Several “firings” are needed—after 2nd firing it is 99% pure, and 99.9% after the third. Silver needs seven firings to be completely pure—“The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” (Psalm 12:6) After the refining, Jesus will be seen in you.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
