The Refiner’s Fire

“For now, we are in the hands of a fiercely loving God who will refine our faith, so that it may be the most precious thing we hold dear.”

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 (ESV)

Peter does not shy away from the truth that throughout our lives we will face trials. Suffering and trials can come in many forms, which is why the apostle uses the word, “various” in regards to trials we may experience. The use of this word ensures that all forms of suffering are included in the truth that we can rejoice in our trials. We are not rejoicing that our trials are happening. In fact, a majority of the Psalms are in the form of laments. Instead, we are rejoicing that our trials are testing our faith, and proving it to be a true, deep faith in Christ. This process results in us being all the more assured of the genuineness of our faith, and in the God we are putting our faith in. 

This testing of our faith is referred to as “being tested by fire.” Otherwise known as refinement. A refiner’s job is to burn away the impurities of a precious metal, leaving behind only the purest form of the material. Malachi 3:3 says, “He [God] will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.” While the refining process can burn, the refiner’s intentions are not to hurt the metal he is working with. Rather, his goal is to simply rid the metal of its impurities. Similarly, God does not test our faith or bring trials into our lives to punish us. Yes, sometimes we suffer due to the natural consequences of our sin. However, God does not send an illness upon someone because of a previous sin as a form of punishment. We must also remember that God does not test our faith in such a way that He is tempting us to sin. God tempts nobody (James 1:13). 

Trials are painful. Thankfully, we have the words of scripture to help us through difficult times. Not only that, but we have God Himself walking with us through those trials. We must keep an eternal perspective and remember that our trials will fade to nothing when we finally behold Jesus face to face in glory. For now, we are in the hands of a fiercely loving God who will refine our faith, so that it may be the most precious thing we hold dear.

Action Steps:

• Read 1 Corinthians 10:13.

• Listen to Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Amazing Grace) by Shane and Shane.

Written by Michelle, mom of 1

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