Unless The Fire Of Affliction Reveals The Impurities Of Our Heart We Will Never Seek The Purification That God Offers For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Cor. 4:17, 18) The Refiner’s Fire - https://youtube/watch?v=uZtgJKJCqXM What a powerful way to summarize the lesson. The writer puts into perspective how we should view the fiery trials that afflict our soul. He reminds us of a very powerful statement from Ellen G. White. The servant of the Lord said – “ God would have his servants become acquainted with their own hearts. In order to bring to them a true knowledge of their condition, He permits the fire of affliction to assail them, so that they may be purified.” God will never give us more that we can bear… with every temptation He will make a way of escape so that we can bear it. So when we find ourselves in fiery trials remember that God doesn’t put upon us anything that through His strength we will not be able to conquer. During this week we were reminded that God allow trials to be placed into our lives so that he can remove the dross and filthiness that exists in our character. God intends for these trials to reveal to us the true nature of our character. Some of us have a very exalted view of ourselves and our relationship with the Lord. But unless God remove all the filthiness that exists within our character we are never going to make it to heaven. I am reminded of the words of tis very powerful song. It’s the Trials that bring us close to Jesus. Ponder on these words for a moment. “First Stanza -There are trials in life that seem more than I can bear, There are heartaches beyond compare. Without trials in life I might never bow in prayer, And I would never know Jesus really care. Chorus - For it’s the trials that bring us close to heaven. And it’s the trials that bring blessings untold! And it’s the trials that bring us close to Jesus, And it’s the trials that make pure gold. Second Stanza - Without trials in life I might never call the Lord, And I would never know the joy of answered prayer. Without trials in life I might never hear the words, “Well done, my child: come in and glory share.” So when next you find yourself under the weight of trials, rejoice because you know that God is doing a work to purify your heart. Know that God is working to ensure that you will make it to heaven. Note that God will not be able to do His work of purification if we don’t give Him total control of our lives. God will never force Himself into our lives nor take control without our permission. He will continue to knock at the door of our heart until we open the door and let Him in. I pray that we will continue let the Holy Spirit take full control of every area of our lives so that God can continue to do His work of transformation, That God can continue do His work of purification. That God can continue to make us ready for His second coming. At the end of the day, this is the only important thing in this world. Christ dwells in him who receives him by faith. Tho trials may come upon the soul, yet the Lords presence will be with us. The burning bush in which was the Lords presence did not consume away. The fire did not extinguish a fiber of the branches. Thus will it be with the feeble human agent who puts his trust in Christ. The furnace fire of temptation may burn, persecution and trial may come, but only the dross will be consumed. The gold will shine brighter because of the process of purification. Greater is He that is in the heart of the faithful, than he that controls the hearts of unbelievers. Complain not bitterly of the trial which comes upon you, but let your eyes be directed to Christ, who has clothed his divinity with humanity, in order that we may understand how great his interest in us since he has identified himself with suffering humanity. He tasted the cup of human sorrow, he was afflicted in all our afflictions, he was made perfect through suffering, tempted in all points like as humanity is tempted, in order that he might succor those who are in temptation. He says, I will make a man more precious than fine gold, even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. He will make a man precious by abiding with him, by giving unto him the Holy Spirit. He says, If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? (Signs of the Times, March 5, 1896 – Ellen G. White)
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 11:08:49 +0000
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