It’s never easy being a Christian in this world. It’s a constant struggle between who God wants us to be and who the world wants us to be. Peer pressure and the media is everywhere and it’s easy to succumb to social expectations. But God calls us to be different – different for Him.
In 2 Corinthians 7:1 it is said, “Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” God has called us to be set apart for Him. When Jesus died on the cross, He bought our salvation literally with His blood. Our lives may be tainted with sin; with anger, jealousy, hatred, immorality, an unforgiving heart, faithlessness, etc. but, the light of Jesus can cleanse us from this. Today if you have problems that continue to pollute your minds and heart, surrender to Jesus and let the light of His love fill your heart.
Our relationship with the Lord is a journey, a journey where we will struggle and undergo many trials. But fret not, the Lord has promised to be with us. The process of changing and transforming our lives may be difficult and painful at times but we must learn to persevere. God never said that the journey would be easy. We have to pass through the flames of trials before we can be purified. God asks us to have faith in Him because just like the Silver smith, he continually watches over us.
Before I end, here’s a story that my friend shared with me.
Malachi 3:3 “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”
This verse puzzled some women in Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that 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 woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.” She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that 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. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she 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.”
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
Allow yourself to go through the fires of trial with the knowledge that God is in control and it’s for your good. Amen.
