Building a Life That Endures God’s Test

This morning, I awoke with a vivid image of a blazing furnace—the “Refiner’s Fire.” As I watched, I saw gifts and works being added to the fire: Objects made of gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw. Each item entered the fire, and as I looked closer, I noticed some were quickly consumed, while others began to glow, emerging on the other side completely transformed.

As I sat down with the Lord, He led me to 1 Corinthians 3:10 and began revealing deeper meaning behind each material I saw in the furnace. These elements symbolize different qualities and types of works in our lives, each tested and refined to reveal its true nature.

The Meaning Behind Each Element in the Refiner’s Fire

Gold – Sacred and incorruptible. Gold represents the most refined gifts, offered with pure motives and upright character. A gift of gold brings glory to God, reflecting His holiness. Works of gold withstand the refiner’s fire because they are aligned with God’s heart and kingdom.

Silver – Refined at a cost. Silver gifts carry a weight of spiritual growth, often forged through trials and personal sacrifice. When silver passes through the fire, it reflects a life marked by purification and spiritual growth.

Precious Stones – Of great value. Precious stones embody the beauty and radiance of God! A gift of precious stones, reveal a life that is transformed into the image of God, who’s works seek to bring Him glory!

Wood – A reflection of human nature. Gifts symbolized by wood can reveal self-reliance and works-based righteousness. Wood can also represent deeply rooted and strong, though it is vulnerable to the refiner’s fire if not rooted in God’s strength, alone.

Hay – Fat and Satisfied. Works made of hay may fill a need but lack depth, often marked by human frailty or spiritual complacency. Hay can also reflect self-indulgence, and like wood, it is easily consumed in the fire, leaving little behind.

Straw – Dry chip of wood. Straw represents gifts fashioned without grace or humility, often tainted by pride, arrogance, or a lack of self-reflection. Works made of straw lack substance and cannot withstand the refiner’s fire and are quickly burned away.

Building on a Foundation That Lasts

The vision Of the refiner’s fire lead me to the passage in 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 — It’s a gem! – no pun intended!

“For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, You are God’s building. By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ”. Who is Jesus?

“Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will be evident, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire”.

Activation – Walking Through the Refiner’s Fire

This journey is an invitation to examine our hearts and motivations. As we allow God to work in us, He refines our gifts, aligning our actions with His character. His fire tests not only our works but our willingness to surrender to His shaping, trusting that He refines us for His glory.

Close your eyes and center your heart on Jesus. Invite him to come and speak to you through this activation.

Hold your hands out before Him. Ask him to place something in your hands that represents the work you have done in His kingdom, or something you are currently building within the body of Christ. Wait, until you see or sense something in your hands.

Consider the thing in your hands. What shape is it? What colors do you see? Is it complete or does it still need work? What is its purpose? How does it function and how was it fashioned?

Next, look to see what kind of material it’s made from. Is it crafted from silver or gold? Are there precious stones on it? Does it contain precious metals? Perhaps it’s carved from wood or woven with straw or hay?

Notice that a burning furnace is near, glowing and flickering with flame. Present your gift to Jesus and ask him to test it in the fire. Watch as he places it in the furnace.

Peer into the flames to see what is happening within the fire. See that your work has passed through the fire and emerged on the other side.

Go to the other side of the furnace where you’ll discover a nearby table.  On it, Jesus has left something special for you. This may be a reward or a gift. Perhaps a love letter or word of encouragement. It could be a gentle reminder, guidance, or new directive. It may even be something entirely different.

Ask Jesus for revelation and understanding. Ask him questions like; “Jesus, what more do you want me to know?” “What actions would you like me to take?” “Is there any correction, direction or encouragement you have for me?

Take this gift with you as a reminder of His refining fire, a symbol of His love and guidance as He shapes and strengthens you. May it encourage you to walk faithfully, trusting that He is continually at work in you, refining and preparing you for His purposes.

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