REFINED TO PERFECTION!

As children of God, we are positioned on earth as citizens of heaven, translated from satan’s kingdom into the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13). But we may still face tests of our faith while living on earth. Jesus said in this world we will have trouble, but we must be courageous because He has overcome the world (John 16:33 TPT)! Difficulties are actually invaluable opportunities (James 1:2 TPT). The testing of our faith is confirmed by the Word to stir up in us the power of endurance and the creation of perfection (James 1:3 TPT). Temptation through trials, however, is not from God. He is incapable of being tempted by evil, and He is never the source of temptation (James 1:13 TPT). But God does use these times of trial to perform an amazing process; when endurance grows stronger through trouble and temptation, it will release perfection (James 1:4 TPT). This is a refining process at work, and God is the Refiner. His process is intentional, refining us but not destroying us. The refining process is best understood by examining the mining of a precious metal.

Rock containing silver is extracted from the earth. The extracted rock is crushed to expose the valuable silver. We too contain great value. God’s Word is the hammer that breaks things to pieces in us, things that deter us from being image bearers of Jesus, things that hide our value (Jeremiah 23:29) as His children. The Word goes to work, breaking forth the wonderful glory that is within us. It is a spiritual process that we must trust because we know the Refiner.

Once the silver is exposed, the pieces of silver are put in a crucible (heat-resistant container) for the purpose of applying heat to draw out the impurities. The impurities are separated from the silver during heating, and they rise to the surface of the pot. God uses the heat of our difficulty to cleanse us in the same way that impurities are brought to the surface from the silver. “Even in times of trouble,” we should have a joyful confidence, “knowing that our pressures will develop in us patient endurance. And patient endurance will refine us”, bringing forth the precious image of Jesus (Romans 5:3,4 TPT) and strengthening our faith, which is more precious than silver or gold (1 Peter 1:7 NKJV). This is not a fantasy we wish for, but confident hope, as we are reassured that God loves us because He has given us His Holy Spirit, who lives in us (Romans 5:5 TPT, NKJV, AMP). By the refining process, all impurities that are being raised to the surface allow the qualities of Jesus to be made visible. We were molded into Jesus’ image, bearing His likeness in our spirit, and with refinement, His qualities are coming forth as the impurities are raised and, according to the next step of refining, removed (Romans 8:29 AMP).

The impurities that rise to the surface while heating the silver form a layer across the top. This layer is removed, exposing a purer form of silver with fewer imperfections. Exposing the impurities allows for refinement. It is the same with us. Anything unbecoming to God is removed during refinement (lust, gossip, unforgiveness, distrust, unbelief, guilt, condemnation, etc.). It is the intensity of the heat that brings forth this refinement. Proverbs 25:4 AMP states it this way: “Take away the dross” (impurities from heating silver that rise to the surface), “and there shall come forth [the material for] a vessel for the silversmith [to work up]. We are the beautiful vessel that God is creating!

Although the impurities of the silver were raised up during the heating process and removed from the top, some impurities preventing perfection of the silver remain. Therefore, the crucible is heated up again. This could occur seven times! God uses His Word for our refinement and purification. (Psalm 12:6) His Word is not just like a hammer but also like fire (Jeremiah 23:29). We become pure and holy in the soulish part of us (mind, will, and emotions) when God’s refining process has its way. But how do we know when the process is done?

The final step occurs when the silversmith sees his reflection in the crucible because the silver has been so refined it becomes like a mirror. Just like the pot of silver, our Refiner must see His reflection in us! Do you bear the reflection of Jesus Christ? Through refinement, we are constantly being transfigured into God’s image “in ever increasing splendor” as we “continue to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18 AMP). His Word transforms our lives during trouble, creating a magnificent masterpiece that is a reflection of Him.

We can only allow the Refiner to take us through the process if we trust His skill. Trusting His skill begins with the knowledge of His unconditional love. Knowledge of His love is understood by the giving of His Son, Jesus; by His living, suffering, dying, and resurrection, which He did for us! We trust the process because we trust the Refiner. It is only then that we may rejoice in our trials because of our expectation of God’s ability to use even our difficulty to glorify Him and reflect His image through us to the world. Our confidence in the might and ability of the Refiner is also essential. “We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God is faithful to you” during the trouble (1 Corinthians 10:13 TPT). He is “faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried… beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will (always) also provide the way out (a means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently” (1 Corinthians 10:13 AMP). Trust the Refiner’s magnificent hand to make you a masterpiece!