Posted: January 1, 2012
The Refiner's Fire
by Jack Rothenflue,
CTEN Director
We are so pleased that you have been willing to partner with us and those we send to serve. These are challenging times and yet folks, like you, provide opportunity for the Good News to be spoken worldwide. And boy, does the world need some good news. Thanks for your encouragement.
We hear a lot today about investing in gold. We know that gold has been a commodity since before Jesus’ time and remains strong today. But in Revelations 3:18 the Lord says, “I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire that you may be rich.” What is that exactly? It is the ‘gold’ of authentically-produced godly character. We are encouraged to be conformed into His likeness which we know is a lifelong process. But apparently, godly character is not given to us, rather we buy it. How you ask? By a refinement process, which for gold, takes going through a fire…..ouch!
But from the “fire” (affliction/distress) the Lord’s presence is magnified. Which makes me think about the three men in the fire in Daniel 3 and that there was with them a “fourth man” in the fire (Jesus we assume). Result? They came out untouched by the fire physically, but really touched in their faith.
We believe that through your “gold” investment in our sent servants, many will be refined and will prosper. THANKS!