We Shall Come Forth As Gold
"And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." 1 John 3:3
The bible says, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9). These words encourage us that through our trials and our rough times God is there. We know He has a purpose and it is so that He can purge, cleanse and purify us so that we can come forth as gold. It is not by our strength that this can be done, but only through His strength.
Gold - the word recalls Job's affirmation: "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 23:10) The apostle Peter even reminds us that, "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) It also reminds us of the words in Malachi, "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3)
When a goldsmith is working to refine his gold, he must wait patiently. The first time he clears the dross is not the only time he must do this. It's a continual process that takes much time. It is through our trials and impurities that God must clear that "dross" from our lives. Sometimes the goldsmith has to go through this purification process many times. We may think to ourselves, or even ask our "goldsmith" (Jesus Christ), "How long will I have to bear these trials? Or go through these struggles? When will this process be done?" Our Heavenly Father knows that He can stop purifying ONLY when His face is seen in the refined gold, and not the "dross" from our lives. It's not by our strength that the "dross" is purged. When our lives are pure before Christ, we need to not be mistaken in believing it was by our own strength or might. We must remember, "His grace is sufficient, His strength is made perfect in OUR weakness".
May we see our trials and hardships as a refining process, that, if we bear it with joy, we will come forth as gold - for God's Glory.
The bible says, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9). These words encourage us that through our trials and our rough times God is there. We know He has a purpose and it is so that He can purge, cleanse and purify us so that we can come forth as gold. It is not by our strength that this can be done, but only through His strength.
Gold - the word recalls Job's affirmation: "But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 23:10) The apostle Peter even reminds us that, "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) It also reminds us of the words in Malachi, "And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3)
When a goldsmith is working to refine his gold, he must wait patiently. The first time he clears the dross is not the only time he must do this. It's a continual process that takes much time. It is through our trials and impurities that God must clear that "dross" from our lives. Sometimes the goldsmith has to go through this purification process many times. We may think to ourselves, or even ask our "goldsmith" (Jesus Christ), "How long will I have to bear these trials? Or go through these struggles? When will this process be done?" Our Heavenly Father knows that He can stop purifying ONLY when His face is seen in the refined gold, and not the "dross" from our lives. It's not by our strength that the "dross" is purged. When our lives are pure before Christ, we need to not be mistaken in believing it was by our own strength or might. We must remember, "His grace is sufficient, His strength is made perfect in OUR weakness".
May we see our trials and hardships as a refining process, that, if we bear it with joy, we will come forth as gold - for God's Glory.
