God’s Refining Fire – Part 3

What’s Next

Well, we have finally made it to the fire; what’s next?  The refiner begins by removing the other metals and impurities from the silver.  The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia Online explains what is happening during the refinement process:

“After the ore had been reduced to a metallic condition, the lead was separated from the silver by blowing hot air over the surface of the melted metal. The lead was changed to lead oxide which, in a powdered condition, was driven away by the air blast. The resulting lead oxide called silver dross in the Bible. The description of refining in Malachi may indicate that a flux (compare “fullers’ soap,” (Mal 3:2)) was sometimes added to the melted metal to dissolve the oxides of copper, lead, tin and iron as they formed, which left the silver pure.” (Patch; Refiner, Refining)

Refining the Silver

So, let’s take a look at each of these steps and how it is used in the Bible to illustrate God refining us.

The ore is placed into the crucible which is placed directly in the fire.

^“3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the Lord trieth the hearts.”  Psalm 12:6 KJV

Once the ore is in a molten state, the impurities can be removed.  Now, as the metal is heated, the lead is turned into lead oxide.  This is a powder, referred to as dross, which is blown away from the surface of the silver.

^“25 And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:”  Isaiah 1:25 KJV

This continues multiple times while the refiner is gradually turning up the heat to release different metals and impurities.

^“6 The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” Psalm 12:6 KJV

Remember, throughout this whole process the refiner is watching ever so closely.  However, if great attention is not used with the time and temperature, the silver can become unusable.

“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.”  Malachi 3:3 KJV

Finally, once all the dross is removed, the refiner is able to actually see a clear mirror like reflection of himself in the pure silver.  The refiner’s constant attention and watchful eye have paid off.  The result, pure silver ready to be used to create a beautifully, unique, priceless masterpiece.  A piece intended for a particular job; one that requires a special ordered, handmade piece.

“⁴ Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.”  Proverbs 25:4 KJV

Refined Like Silver

As I was researching for this series, I had an epiphany which I started discussing in Part 2.  I was reminded of how Jesus saves and transforms us.

1. First, Jesus finds and calls you.  He begins the mining process and breaks you down into a workable state.  This leads up to the moment in which you realize you need Jesus.  When you know He is calling you and you long for a change; a chance to live for Him.
2. Then, it is time to be filtered and washed.
   

   “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”  1 John 1:7 KJV

   • You are washed and filtered by the blood of Jesus.  First, you must believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins.  Next, ask forgiveness for your sins, change the way you are living and repent.  Now the most important part –  give your life to God and ask Jesus to live in your heart.  This is how you are saved and how you are cleansed of all sin by Jesus’ blood.  He washes us white as snow.  This is how you are given eternal life by the grace of God.
     

     “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”  John 14:6 KJV

   • After you have asked Jesus to live in your heart, your first act of obedience is to be “washed” in baptism as a profession of your new life with Jesus.
3. After being broken down, washed multiple times, and filtered – you are ready to be placed in your fining pot or crucible.
4. Your refiner, God, now places your crucible directly into His refining fire.  Welcome to your Brewing Ground.  He wants to turn you into His glorious masterpiece!
5. To get you “masterpiece ready”, God removes the dross multiple times.  This dross refers to the ideas, attitudes and people of the world.  The things that prevent you from being everything that God created you to be.  Mankind was created in God’s physical image.  However, through His refining fire, God uses life’s trials to also transform our inner image to portray an inward reflection of Him.
   

   “²⁴ And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”  Ephesians 4:24 KJV

6. Finally, the refiner is able to see His clear reflection in the pure silver.  You are now “masterpiece ready”!  This pure silver is ready to be used to create your beautiful, unique, priceless masterpiece.  Now, part of what makes a true masterpiece is the fact that it is handmade with great precision and detail by a master craftsman.  The result is perfectly flawed.  This is what makes it a one of a kind piece.  This is what makes it priceless and irreplaceable.  There is no other like it.  This piece was a special order; handmade specifically for a particular job.   It has it’s very own calling!  This masterpiece is the only one equipped to fulfill this particular job.

Glorious Ending

Don’t get me wrong; being refined is NOT easy.  Who likes getting smashed with a hammer again and again; or continually being submerged in water?  Next, you are thrown in the fire over and over again.  The fire is HOT.  It is uncomfortable, maybe even painful.  In the moments when you feel it may all be too much, hold onto God and His promises.  Remember He is there with you holding you, keeping His eyes on you, protecting you.

^“2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”  Isaiah 43:2 KJV

Think of what a glorious ending there will be – and there WILL be one!  What a beautiful picture this paints of how our creator, God Himself, purifies each of us.  It’s about the very intentional and detailed work that God pours into us.  It’s about how God saves us and uses life’s trials for His good to refine, change, and cleanse each one of us into our own unique, beautiful, priceless masterpiece with our very own calling.  This is how He brews permanent heart change in us to reflect His likeness; change that can not be undone.  So, trust God and let Him work.  After all, He is THE master craftsman!  Trust, transform, and fulfill your calling.  You are the only one equipped to fulfill your particular divine assignment. One day you will hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”  What a glorious ending!  One worth Brewing for!

“7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:7 KJV

Let’s be Refined and Brew Together!

Patch, J.A. (1939). Refiner; Refining. In International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://www.internationalstandardbible.com/R/refiner-refining.html.