One use of Fire

Fire is used in the purification of metals. The refiner uses fire in a controlled manner to take that which is polluted and valueless, to create that which is pure and of great value. His is an exacting process using that which is capable of destroying, to deliberately and carefully over a period of time, produce that which pleases him and ultimately others as well. Those ignorant of the process would question the intentions of the refiner. “Why would someone deliberately put something of such potential value in the fire?” And yet in time they themselves would see the wisdom of the refiner in that which they themselves previously questioned.

Comparatively, the Lord is the Refiner. He uses the fiery trial in the life of the believer to accomplish His work of purification. He takes that which is polluted and valueless, to create that which, “…may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” His is also an exacting process, although the believer may feel as if at times He is acting in a carless manner. He takes that which is capable of destroying and, over a period of time determined by Him, He produces that which pleases Him and ultimately others as well. One difference between the earthly refiner and the Heavenly Refiner is that we can observe and understand the intentions of the earthly, but not always the Heavenly. So, ignorant of the process and the intentions of the Refiner, we often question His intentions. “Why would the Refiner deliberately allow me to endure this fire?” And yet we ourselves see in time the wisdom of the Refiner in that which we previously questioned. Yet another difference between the earthly and the heavenly is that we do not always understand in this life the wisdom of the Refiner in allowing us to endure the fire. So we are encouraged to endure, not yet seeing the wisdom of the Refiner.

Like the earthly, so is the Heavenly. The process of refining is ongoing, as often as the Refiner desires, until He is satisfied, until His intended result is achieved: “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 1:7).