Showing 10 results for “refinement”
This is the process of daily conversion and continual growing in grace. On this side of the grave we cannot arrive at perfection but we do more and more learn to know our sins and conquer the old man of the flesh. This exercise of the new life shows itself in two ways. It shows itself in a deepening
In contrast to judgment on the wicked, fire is also a metaphor of God’s instrument of refining His people, cleansing our sins and making us able to serve Him better. Sanctification is pictured as a process of refinement on the “metal” of the righteous. Precious metals are usually found mixed with ot
Now to return once more to a point we merely touched upon, that of the silver smelting and refining process, which in the Psalms and the Prophets signifies God's correction of the righteous, and the punishment of the wicked. The latter is portrayed in the smelting action, which separates certain lea
Part of the process of casting metal involves purifying the metal being used to remove gasses and other impurities that would weaken the final product, leaving it less than pure and perfect. In various passages throughout the Bible, God applies this process to his own word and also our spiritual liv
Then unflinching perseverance produces and develops — to enlarge upon the word “experience”— tried, proved and accepted character. The word means a proving, a trial, to try out; make proof or trial of; then, to become acquainted with by personal trial; to be tried in the scales and found not wanting
God is watching over us every moment, and he will never let a trial become more that we can bear. Later, the silversmith remembered that he had forgotten to mention one thing: the only way he knows when the process is complete is when he can see his reflection in the silver. Proverbs 25:4 says, “Tak
As fire is important to specific, radical transformations of matter in the creation, particularly in the refining of metals, so, too, it is an important picture that God gives us of the "fiery trials" that He places upon us. God places each of us, His beloved children, within a "crucible" to expose
One famous example of how impurities in a metal weaken products is worthy of note. Metallurgical studies of the wreckage of the Titanic have revealed interesting information that may help explain, to some extent, why, from a scientific perspective, the "unsinkable" ship sank. Samples of rivets ana
The Heidelberg Catechism in Lord's Day 33 describes this activity of the believer: "What is the mortification of the old man?" The answer is "it is a sincere sorrow of heart that we have provoked God by our sins, and more and more to hate and flee from them" (Q&A 89). Let us cleanse ourselves from a
In God’s grace and strength, we keep ourselves clean and cleanse ourselves from spiritual filthiness by turning from sin, confessing our sins before His throne, and trusting His mercy. In this way of constant conversion, we perfect our holiness in His fear (II Cor. 7:1). This perfecting work of the