Embracing Trials: The Path to Spiritual Purity
Lamentations 4:1
How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.
The church, having been made pure and spotless by the blood of the Lamb of God, is to be the “gold standard” for the world to see. However, when sin is allowed to go unchecked in the church, the gold loses its shine, and thus the church loses its witness and its power with God and man.
We know we have lost our shine when we are no longer a reflection of the image of Christ. When all the world can see is the rubble of the church, it is no wonder that they do not receive our message. This problem is not just a surface issue; otherwise, cosmetic repair would be all that’s needed to fix the problem.
However, the root problem lies much deeper than the superficial religious attire with which we try so hard to cover our sins. Our text says, “…how is the most fine gold changed!” That is the problem. The gold has changed. A simple external “buffing” will never make you shine like gold!
You see, the church has thrown herself into the melting pot of worldly affairs, and thus her metal has changed. The only remedy is for the church to allow Christ to purge her of her impurities once again. The church must go through the fire in order for the impure metals to rise to the surface to be skimmed away.
Job said, “…when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Let us also consider 1 Peter 4:12-13, which says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
Herein lies the problem; very few Christians are willing to be partakers of Christ’s sufferings. However, for those willing to do so, there comes a time in which His glory shall be revealed! Then will it be concluded that the glory of Christ shining through was well worth the sufferings that got us there.
The question is, who shall be partaker of His sufferings? Be not as others who want only the shine without the heat, for it will never come that way. You may get a temporary shine, but the best fool’s gold in the world will not stand the test of time. Only the real stuff will last. Let Christ purge you today of all impurities so He can shine through you!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
How is the gold become dim! how is the most fine gold changed! the stones of the sanctuary are poured out in the top of every street.
The church, having been made pure and spotless by the blood of the Lamb of God, is to be the “gold standard” for the world to see. However, when sin is allowed to go unchecked in the church, the gold loses its shine, and thus the church loses its witness and its power with God and man.
We know we have lost our shine when we are no longer a reflection of the image of Christ. When all the world can see is the rubble of the church, it is no wonder that they do not receive our message. This problem is not just a surface issue; otherwise, cosmetic repair would be all that’s needed to fix the problem.
However, the root problem lies much deeper than the superficial religious attire with which we try so hard to cover our sins. Our text says, “…how is the most fine gold changed!” That is the problem. The gold has changed. A simple external “buffing” will never make you shine like gold!
You see, the church has thrown herself into the melting pot of worldly affairs, and thus her metal has changed. The only remedy is for the church to allow Christ to purge her of her impurities once again. The church must go through the fire in order for the impure metals to rise to the surface to be skimmed away.
Job said, “…when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Let us also consider 1 Peter 4:12-13, which says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
Herein lies the problem; very few Christians are willing to be partakers of Christ’s sufferings. However, for those willing to do so, there comes a time in which His glory shall be revealed! Then will it be concluded that the glory of Christ shining through was well worth the sufferings that got us there.
The question is, who shall be partaker of His sufferings? Be not as others who want only the shine without the heat, for it will never come that way. You may get a temporary shine, but the best fool’s gold in the world will not stand the test of time. Only the real stuff will last. Let Christ purge you today of all impurities so He can shine through you!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill