PURIFIED

There are many people that are under the mistaken assumption that the life of a Christian is a “bed of roses” and that we float around on a cloud free from all trials, troubles, persecutions and temptations. I am sure each one of us could confidently say “nothing could be further from the truth.” And if the truth be known, we are actually subjected to just as much tribulation, if not more, than anyone else because Satan has us in his “cross-hairs” and has targeted us for annihilation. As per the writings of the Apostle Peter, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.” (1 Peter 4: 12-14)

Hallelujah and Amen! We could end this message right here and now based on the virtue of these 3 scriptures alone. But notice, if you will, that in this passage the Lord does not focus on the suffering, but on the glory that results from the patient enduring of the suffering. What an incredible honor and privilege it is to be chosen to share in Jesus’ suffering, thus being allowed to participate in His splendor as God’s children: “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8: 17-18) No wonder we can rejoice and be exceedingly happy when we go though our trials.

Again, contrary to popular belief, no one on this planet is exempt from suffering. Everyone will experience hardship in one way or another at one time or another. But if we do it right it is a blessing because God is involved and is personally orchestrating not only the event but the outcome as well. Conversely, take heed and beware. There are consequences to not doing it right and we'll find ourselves on our own because we reap what we sow. “But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” (1 Peter 4: 15-19) Wonderful words of wisdom and caution to help us stay submitted and committed to our Father which art in heaven, not just for His glory but for our own good as well.

Here’s something else. What we go through isn’t always just some diabolical demonic scheme designed daily to deliver us to death and destruction. In fact, if we are true servants of God these trials of life are an inevitable part of our life. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3: 12) Now we all know that none of us willingly wants to suffer. We’d all like to live a life of leisure and pleasure with no issues or drama whatsoever. Well, we haven’t made it to that place yet, but we’re on our way! However, believe it or not, suffering actually does us good. Right now I know you are probably feeling like Arnold on the old TV program Different Strokes when he would ask his older brother, "What you talkin' 'bout, Willis?“ Well, dear ones, what I'm talking about is this. Our sanctified suffering actually helps to keep us humble and dependent upon God. It also helps to clear the way for more intimacy with God. And it also gives us an awe-inspiring insight into the power, glory and majesty of God. Just ask Abraham. Or Job, or Joseph or David. Or Lazarus, or Peter or Paul. Throughout human history they all knew and were intimately acquainted with the truth that says “what the devil means for evil, God means for good.” “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8: 28) And so, realizing this, our collective understanding should be, “That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.” (1 Thessalonians 3: 3)

But there is another glorious reason we go through our difficulties that at times seem to be overwhelming and never ending. There is actually a holy purification process that is taking place in the midst of these fiery trials. “Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” (Isaiah 48: 10) Just think back to when you got baptized in Jesus’ name for the remission of your sins. We know that you didn't just get wet, but a glorious, unseen operation of God took place under the water. In like manner, when we are patiently going through our appointed afflictions we are not just being subjected to pain and discomfort for no reason, but a purifying work by the Ancient of Days is taking place right in the middle of that trial. The Lord is using it to prepare us for entry into His eternal Kingdom when Jesus returns for us. “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to this temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of His coming? and who shall stand when He appeareth? for He is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And He shall sit as a refiner and purifer 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: 1-3)

And it’s not like God needs to figure out if He can trust you or not because He's pretty smart. In fact, He knows all things past, present and future. Your trial is for you to realize that you can trust Him under any circumstance. Just when it seems like you can't take any more or you can't go any further, just look towards heaven and say, "With God all things are possible" and "I can do all things through Christ, the One who strengthens me." Remember this beloved, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10: 13) The Lord loves us so much that He is very transparent about what He is doing and simplifies it so we can all understand. He uses the refining process as a metaphor to illustrate exactly what is happening. In a nutshell, the refining process for precious metals is as follows: A precious metal which is impure is subjected to heat, not enough to destroy it but just enough to separate it from its impurities. What’s left is pure precious metal, more valuable at the end of the process than the beginning. The prophet Zechariah explains the result better than I can: “And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on My name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is My people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.” (Zechariah 13: 9) Wow! How can you not rejoice over that! And better still, "And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment." (Zechariah 3: 1-4)

So let us all be thankful for the mercy our Lord has bestowed upon us as we travel the dusty trails of our earthly existence. May we be ever grateful for His love and tender compassion that strengthens and comforts us each and every day as He is graciously instructing us while He is leading us to our heavenly home: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2: 11-14)

And finally beloved, as you go through the trials of your life, let not your heart be troubled. God knows what He's doing and knows exactly what's going on with you personally. And no matter what happens, don’t be like Job and say “I don’t deserve this”, but instead “count it all joy” knowing that the Lord is pleased with your sacrifice, patience and endurance. He not only has prepared a place, but has glorious garments reserved for you with the other saints who have endured the same afflictions in Jesus’ name: “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple: and He that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” (Revelation 7: 9, 10, 13-17 )

Stay strong, dear ones, stay encouraged and never forget that, through it all, you are being purified.