Gold that Remains
Few of us would have the confidence Job displayed in Job 23:10. We might rather assume that when God has tested us in the same manner that gold is refined, many impurities will be consumed. Eventually, perhaps, we will come forth as gold, but not immediately. Sin runs too deep and the refining takes so excruciatingly long.
Perhaps it is overconfidence that leads Job to say such a thing, or perhaps he really was that much more righteous than the rest of us. Either way, whether he is right about himself or not, he has hit a foundational spiritual principle: God tires His servants, and the intended result is pure gold.
Just as the Cross of Jesus revealed the character of God within Him, so does the fire of trail reveal the character of God within us. Are we patient? We and the world will only know it if our patience is tested. Are we loving? It will not be seen until we are confronted with hatred. Are we full of faith? There’s no evidence until circumstances dictate against it. Every fruit of the Spirit is latent within us until its antithesis appears. Superficial joy and real joy look exactly the same until the storm comes and blows one of them away. Peace isn’t really peace unless it can survive when attacked. And deeper still: Your life in the Spirit isn’t life at all if it melts away when death threatens.
We want all the fruits of the Spirit and all of the blessings of Christlikeness, but we rarely realize that cost. Nothing God gives us is proven genuine until it is assaulted by the troubles of this world and the wiles of the enemy. It is the only way God reveals Himself through His saints. It is the only way thr authentic is distinguished from the superficial. It is the only way to come forth as gold.
Are you running from tests? Don’t. Stand firm in them. Let God do His purifying work. Get ready to shine.
Job 23:10 When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Gold that Remains
Few of us would have the confidence Job displayed in Job 23:10. We might rather assume that when God has tested us in the same manner that gold is refined, many impurities will be consumed. Eventually, perhaps, we will come forth as gold, but not immediately. Sin runs too deep and the refining takes so excruciatingly long.
Perhaps it is overconfidence that leads Job to say such a thing, or perhaps he really was that much more righteous than the rest of us. Either way, whether he is right about himself or not, he has hit a foundational spiritual principle: God tires His servants, and the intended result is pure gold.
Just as the Cross of Jesus revealed the character of God within Him, so does the fire of trail reveal the character of God within us. Are we patient? We and the world will only know it if our patience is tested. Are we loving? It will not be seen until we are confronted with hatred. Are we full of faith? There’s no evidence until circumstances dictate against it. Every fruit of the Spirit is latent within us until its antithesis appears. Superficial joy and real joy look exactly the same until the storm comes and blows one of them away. Peace isn’t really peace unless it can survive when attacked. And deeper still: Your life in the Spirit isn’t life at all if it melts away when death threatens.
We want all the fruits of the Spirit and all of the blessings of Christlikeness, but we rarely realize that cost. Nothing God gives us is proven genuine until it is assaulted by the troubles of this world and the wiles of the enemy. It is the only way God reveals Himself through His saints. It is the only way thr authentic is distinguished from the superficial. It is the only way to come forth as gold.
Are you running from tests? Don’t. Stand firm in them. Let God do His purifying work. Get ready to shine.
Job 23:10 When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
This just a fraction of what the Lord is teaching me..
Few of us would have the confidence Job displayed in Job 23:10. We might rather assume that when God has tested us in the same manner that gold is refined, many impurities will be consumed. Eventually, perhaps, we will come forth as gold, but not immediately. Sin runs too deep and the refining takes so excruciatingly long.
Perhaps it is overconfidence that leads Job to say such a thing, or perhaps he really was that much more righteous than the rest of us. Either way, whether he is right about himself or not, he has hit a foundational spiritual principle: God tires His servants, and the intended result is pure gold.
Just as the Cross of Jesus revealed the character of God within Him, so does the fire of trail reveal the character of God within us. Are we patient? We and the world will only know it if our patience is tested. Are we loving? It will not be seen until we are confronted with hatred. Are we full of faith? There’s no evidence until circumstances dictate against it. Every fruit of the Spirit is latent within us until its antithesis appears. Superficial joy and real joy look exactly the same until the storm comes and blows one of them away. Peace isn’t really peace unless it can survive when attacked. And deeper still: Your life in the Spirit isn’t life at all if it melts away when death threatens.
We want all the fruits of the Spirit and all of the blessings of Christlikeness, but we rarely realize that cost. Nothing God gives us is proven genuine until it is assaulted by the troubles of this world and the wiles of the enemy. It is the only way God reveals Himself through His saints. It is the only way thr authentic is distinguished from the superficial. It is the only way to come forth as gold.
Are you running from tests? Don’t. Stand firm in them. Let God do His purifying work. Get ready to shine.
Job 23:10 When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
You can help build eternity by helping me stay on the race. Please consider funding this trip. I still need $3000 by April 1st or I get sent home and I dont want that! (Nor does God) So, please! Help me out with whatever you can! You can send checks int to Adventures In Missions, PO Box 534470, Atlanta, GA, 30353-4470 with AMY AM COLLEY in the memo line! Thanks!
