The Refiner's Fire

A Christian is like a tea bag—not much good until it has gone through hot water.

Michael P. Green, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000), 363.

Have you ever gone through a particularly difficult trial or dark valley and wondered “Lord what did I do that was THAT bad?” Or more simply, “Why Me?”

“Why now?” “Why do I suffer while other believers go on untouched?”

These thoughts are natural, but unproductive and unwise for believers to meditate upon. As we continue our series “Not From Around Here: The Strange and Complicated Life of a Sojourner” we find Peter encouraging the early church with the truth that the trials they are facing are not a unique punishment, but rather a sign of love. It is a refiner’s fire.

The Refiner’s Fire is not Strange.

1 Peter 4:12 KJV

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

The word “beloved” is in the Greek, “beloved ones.” The word is the Greek word which speaks of God’s divine and infinite love. We could translate, “divinely loved ones:” Peter uses this word as a descriptive title, reminding the recipients of this letter who were going through much suffering because of persecution, that they were loved with all the love in the heart of God. What a sweet pillow upon which to rest our weary hearts, just to know that our Father loves us. It helps one endure the heartaches and pains of life. - Wuest

The words “think it not strange,” are literally “stop thinking it a thing alien” to you. These Christians were thinking that the suffering which they were enduring was a thing foreign or alien to their Christian lives, as if Christianity provided an immunity from suffering. They are exhorted by Peter to think it a natural and expected thing that such suffering for righteousness’ sake would come in view of the world’s hatred of Christ, and therefore to one who bears His name and reflects Him in his life.1

1 Kenneth S. Wuest, Wuest’s Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: For the English Reader, vol. 11 (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 118.

It is a Refining Fire.

Proverbs 27:21 KJV

As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; So is a man to his praise.

Psalm 66:10 KJV

For thou, O God, hast proved us: Thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

Peter speaks of these sufferings as a fiery trial. The words “fiery trial,” are the rendering of a word used also in the Greek translation of the Old Testament in Proverbs 27:21, which word in the a.v. is rendered “a furnace,” referring to a smelting furnace where gold is refined. The same word is found in Ps. 66:10 which Vincent translates, “Thou, O God, has proved us: thou hast smelted us, as silver is smelted.” The word means literally “a burning,” but is used in these passages to refer to a smelting furnace and the smelting process in which gold or silver ore is purified. These sufferings which the recipients of this letter were undergoing constituted the smelting furnace in which their lives were being purified.

The Refiner’s Fire Draws You Closer to Jesus.

1 Peter 4:13 KJV

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.

But rejoice that you participate (koinōneite, from koinōneō, “to share”; related nouns are koinōnia, “communion, fellowship, close relationship,” and koinōnos, “sharer”; cf. 5:1). Suffering for Christ’s sake should cause rejoicing because through suffering Christians further identify with Christ.1

1 Roger M. Raymer, “1 Peter,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 854.

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 KJV

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

The Refiner’s Fire Produces Beauty By God’s Design

1 Peter 4:13 KJV

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.

Fellowship With Christ

Philippians 3:10 KJV

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Glorified With Christ

Romans 8:17 KJV

And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Reigning With Christ

2 Timothy 2:12 KJV

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:

Ignace Jan Paderewski, the famous pianist, was scheduled to perform at a great concert hall in America. It was a high-society extravaganza. Present in the audience that evening was a mother and her fidgety nine-year old. She had brought him in the hopes that when he heard the great composer play, he would be encouraged to practice.

As the mother turned to talk with some friends, he slipped away and was strangely drawn to the grand Steinway piano on the platform. Staring wide-eyed at the keys the boy sat on the stool; placed his small fingers on the keys and began to play “Chopsticks.” The roar of the crowd came to a hush as frowning faces pointed in his direction. Someone began to shout, “Get that boy away from there!” “Where is his mother?” Somebody get that kid.”

Backstage the master composer overheard the sounds out front. He quickly realized what was happening and hurried toward the stage. Without one word of announcement, he stooped over behind the boy, reached around on both sides, and began to improvise a countermelody to harmonize with and enhance “Chopsticks.” As they played together, the composer kept whispering in the boy’s ear, “Keep going; don’t quit. Keep playing; don’t stop. Don’t quit….”

It is the same for us as we work for the Lord. Our playing of “Chopsticks” may not be impressing anyone. But about the time we’re ready to give up, we hear the Master say, “Keep going; don’t stop; don’t give up.”

And this is what the Lord is saying to us this morning. “Don’t give up. It doesn’t matter what others think about what you’re doing. Do it with all your heart unto Me and I’ll help you.”

Disappointments can turn into victories when the Master steps in and begins to play the countermelody.

From: Charles Swindoll, “Don’t Quit,” Stories for the Heart compiled by Alice Gray (Sisters Oregon: Multnomah Books, 1996) p. 39-40.