Refined Through Fire

  James 1:2,3

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." 

The word trials has a connotation of trouble or a situation that would disrupt peace and happiness. It could be persecution, personal illness, family troubles, a death of someone close, financial problems, or any of a great many issues. God allows such events into a believer's life for the main purpose of testing, strengthening, and maturing his faith. A believer could respond wrongfully by becoming bitter, angry, or resentful toward God, or he could embrace the trial while eagerly anticipating the outcome - becoming more like Christ. 

It is true that trials do not produce "happiness," but by a believer's deliberate submission to God during this trial, he can experience a sense of joy and peace knowing that God is working through this situation for the good of His child. Through the course of the trial, a believer will learn endurance and faith as he submits, make his foundation on Christ stronger as he perseveres, and help refine his character as he grows so that he can bring glory to God in every aspect of his life.

    2 Corinthians 12:9a

"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

Do You Remember? ( My Testimony)

Growing up in a Christian home, I came to a saving knowledge of the Lord very early in my life. This is something that has been a great joy to me, but has also been a cause of some confusion and doubt in my life. Although now I can remember the day that I came to the Lord in faith, this wasn’t always the case. The following is my testimony of when I became sure of my relationship with God and what it truly means to be a Christian..

Looking back on my earlier years, I struggled to remember the blessed day that I put my trust in the Lord for salvation, but with a sinking heart, I realized that I didn’t remember the exact moment. Doubts concerning my salvation filled my mind, and I didn’t know how to determine if I was truly saved or if I was simply going through the motions.

As my uncertainty grew, my trust and obedience in the Lord diminished, and I started slipping away from the Lord and pursued my own desires, not caring much about the Lord’s plans for my life.

But although I temporarily gave up on the Lord, He never gave up on me. As I sat under the preaching of God’s Word one week at camp, I finally saw the sinfulness that had crept into my heart and was greatly sorrowed because of it. One night the burden of my sin became too heavy for me to bear, and I tearfully went to the Lord in prayer and sought His merciful forgiveness. As I began to confess all of my doubts and confusion, I felt God’s everlasting love engulf me as my burden began to lift. My tears changed to tears of joy as I praised God with my lips and with my heart. Later that evening, while sharing my joy with others, I finally understood that my remembrance of the day and hour of trusting in the Lord wasn’t the key for my salvation, but my continued trust in the Lord and my living for Him every day of my life was what was truly important. Although I may not remember a particular prayer or a moment where my life completely turned from evil to good, I do see the daily fruits of the Spirit in my life, and I feel the desires in my heart to glorify and serve God. For the Lord did not give me a blind and empty faith but blessed me with a salvation that is living and evident. He gave me a changing lifestyle that has begun to mirror Christ’s life as I continue my journey towards future glorification in heaven.

To be completely honest, there are still some days when I have doubts concerning my salvation, but I am quickly reminded by the Lord that not by our works (or memories) are we saved, but by God’s grace alone. So when doubts or fears plague my thoughts, I turn to the Lord and His ever faithful promise, 

“Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden … and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:28-29)

We are His United Masterpiece

Galatians 3:26-28

"For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Although it is true that God has placed each believer on earth for a different purpose, when we come before Him we are all equal in His eyes. Every gift and calling given by God to His people is equal and important, for God works through every believer's life to make a complete and perfect work. We are like unique colors used to create a perfect, finished masterpiece. Everyone's special gift, when submitted for the glory of God and the edification of all believers, brings about His will in this world. Although we have our individual callings of service, no believer is higher in status before God than another believer. Since we are all justified by the atoning blood of Christ, we have all come to God in the same manner, and as His children we will all enjoy the same blessings of redemption, spiritual growth, and a future home in heaven. There is no race, gender, or position that God notices when He looks at us. Instead He beholds the righteousness of His Son through our lives and calls us all His beloved children. We, as Christians, are pilgrims on our way to the heavenly city. We are all one people, one nation united by Christ's blood in the eyes of God. We are His temple. We are His army against evil. We are His beloved masterpiece.

Romans 2:11

"For there is no partiality with God."