|
|
by George Jacob Ph D
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD tries the hearts. PRO 17:3.
Precious metals, such as silver or gold, are found in the earth. When these metals are mined, the ore in which they are found is measured in tons; the precious metals that are separated are measured in ounces. The refining process is done in the furnace. Tons of ore are placed into the furnace where these precious metals are separated by melting. These metals are much heavier than the dross, and as they melt they begin to settle to the bottom of the furnace. As the furnace brings the ore up to the required heat needed to melt these precious metals, the refiner begins to stir the ore. This causes the dross to come to the surface so it can be removed, and the precious metals to settle into the fining pot.
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, in like manner, the Lord tries the hearts. The Lord uses the furnace of affliction to refine our hearts, removing the dross, ISA 48: 10. The Psalmist says, For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried. Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou brought us out into a wealthy place. PSA 66:10-12.
When the heavenly Refiner quickens our hearts with a little self-knowledge, EPH 2: 1-10; we begin to understand that the dross of rebellion, pride, hatred, covetousness, conversation in the lust of the flesh and disobedience which is in our hearts is measured in tons. It also teach us that the precious metals of love, submission and obedience, if found at all, are measured in ounces.
Love is not only the choicest of these precious metals, but we are taught in 1 CO 13 that though we speak with tongues of men and angels, though we bestow all our goods to feed the poor; if we have no love, we have nothing! It is out of love that our heavenly Refiner sends His chastening hand upon us to purge out all our dross, HEB 12: 6. Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. HEB 12:11.
Oh, beloved, how blessed it is when our hard heart begins to melt, when it is stirred by some blessed portion of God Word being applied, bringing some precious revelation of our lovely Saviour! What a precious experience it is to feel some of that dross removed, some of that rebellion broken, while our hearts lay melted before our lovely Saviour, yielding those peaceable fruits of righteousness!
Oh, what a blessing when our hears are stirred to lift our eye unto, Jesus the
author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set
before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right
hand of the throne of God. HEB 12:2. Oh beloved, what a blessed assurance to know
that our heavenly Refiner will continue to remove all our dross, until He can
look down into the fining pot and see His own image reflected in our melted
heart, which is the molten metal. Being confident of this very thing, that he
which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus
Christ. PHI 1: 6.
Amen.
See Also:
The Attractiveness of a
Surrendered Life - St. Francis of Assissi
Have you ever wished you could share your faith with friends or loved ones who
do not know Christ? Or have you ever worried that our culture is slipping
farther and farther away from God's truth, but don't know how to turn it around?
Consider St. Francis of Assisi's approach
to evangelism: 'Preach the Gospel all times and when necessary, use words.'
Abiding in God by Abiding in Love
Knowing God as love moves us to love others; and, we know that we
have passed from death to life.
Put Your Faith To Work
What can faith do? Everything you see originated from faith (Hebrews 11:3). And
faith is the substance of things hoped for (Hebrews 11:1)
Forgive and Forget
Jesus was a man of intense action. He was active in defending the innocence of
others. He preached to turn the other cheek when we are attacked individually.
He taught to forgive your enemies.
Spiritual/Moral | General Interest | Church Fathers | Faith | History | Inspirational | Sermons | Malankara World Home
-------
Malankara World
A service of St. Basil's Syriac Orthodox
Church, Ohio
Copyright © 2009-2020 - ICBS Group. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer
Website designed, built, and hosted by
International Cyber Business Services, Inc., Hudson, Ohio
