THE FURNACE AND THE REFINING POT

A Christian’s walk is not as simple and straightforward as it may seem to many. Especially this is true, if one thinks to walk on the Narrow Path is some kind of “jolly” ride, where it is always pleasant sunshine and cool breezy shade. We often hear people say, “Come to Jesus, and all your problems will be gone.” This is true, there is no doubt about it. However, it is misleading to say so, without properly explaining what does it cost the Christian, to be a follower of the LORD Jesus Christ. Such an insight is essential for a balanced understanding about the path we are called to walk upon, by the LORD Jesus Christ.

Here under a few Scripture portions for our enlightenment and encouragement, from the written Word of God.
– “57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” – Luke 9:57-58
– “32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 10:32-33
– “37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” – Matthew 10:37
– “38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” – Matthew 10:38
– “39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” – Matthew 10:39

We understand from the above Bible verses that, we are called to follow the LORD… 
– FAITHFULLY
– OBEDIENTLY
– with SINGLE-HEARTED devotion
– with UNWAVERING commitment
– “23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” – Luke 9:23

As we walk on the path that our LORD Jesus calls us to, we ought to remember that…
– We will encounter problems, struggles, storms, trials and testing times.
– The above list is not exhaustive. 
– We will have the whole evil host arrayed against us, to trouble us, to destabilise us, and to ultimately destroy our faith in the LORD Jesus.
– “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8

Why are these trials and tests, struggles and storms allowed by the LORD? Can we not have a Christian life without any of these troubling and trying situations in lives? LORD does everything with a purpose. The trials and tribulations that we encounter are not to deter, destabilise or destroy us, even though this is what Satan’s wants. The LORD Jesus allows these trials to test us and to strengthen us. These are meant for our good and for our maturity as Christians and disciples of the LORD Jesus.
– “3 The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts.” – Proverbs 17:3
– “33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
– “3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” – Romans 5:3-4
– “2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” – James 1:2-4
“As Christ’s disciples, each of us must “take up our cross daily” (Luke 9:23).  Some of these crosses are forced upon us, but most are optional situations in which we must choose to pay a price out of obedience to Christ…we can choose to suffer well as a witness for Christ anytime we suffer…most persecuted Christians can avoid suffering for Christ by simply deciding to stop bearing witness to His truth.  They face a daily temptation to avoid suffering through silence and inactivity and it is important to admit that we face the same temptation…cross-bearing is not a discipleship topic for Christians somewhere else.” – Voice of the Martyrs – “The Crosses We Must Choose for Ourselves.”

So dear brothers and sisters, let us not be disturbed or troubled in hearts and minds because of THE FURNACE AND THE REFINING POT of trials we face. They are meant for our good and our benefit. Instead, let us learn to trust the LORD’s judgement, and continue to walk faithfully and obediently on the Narrow Path, as our LORD Jesus leads us. Even so, the LORD help us.