Refiner's Fire

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Have I mentioned I'm a creature of comfort? I like life simple and uncomplicated, and I certainly don't like to confront my own sins and shortcomings when they crop up. Envision Isaiah when confronted with the holiness of God seated on His throne. Isaiah cries out, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” (NASB, Is. 6:5). I’ve never seen God’s holiness, yet I feel much the same way when confronted with my sin. I am overwhelmed by the enormity of it in comparison with God's holiness. I am unequivocally without excuse. For one thing, I have God's word, through which He chooses to reveal himself. Creation also testifies to its creator, as Romans 1:20 makes very clear: “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”  There is nothing I can say to defend myself when God brings the dross of my heart to light. I know that God will not allow the impurities to remain in my life because He wants to purify me and make me useful for His service. Going through the refiner’s fire involves intense heat, but I know the heat has its purpose. One fire at a time, He is making me more like Him.  Do I crave it? Nope. Do I immediately rejoice in the testing? Not yet (which tells me that there is much more to come). Am I grateful for it after the dross gets scraped off? Definitely!

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