The Christian Walk Pt.2… The Refining

It’s no wonder Yahweh uses the process of gold and silver extraction as a metaphor of deeper workings in one’s life. The process hasn’t changed much in the recent six millennia (creation). It starts with the prospecting, collecting, extraction and a grueling process known as refining.

The Spirit of God seeks out, prospects, mankind for the precious metals to be found within. Silver and gold are found in various forms in the earth. So it is with mankind. Sometimes there are nuggets to be found, while other times there’s dust so finely ground into the earth that it has become more than just in the earth (world), but seemingly part of it. Of course, Yahweh sees fine metals and gems in all of us. The problem with us is that, in most cases,  we will not easily give up the yield. It’s at this point a process known as refining needs to happen in order to force the metals to let go of the earth (world) surrounding it.

A digging (mining) into the earth is needed to collect the ore yielding dirt and tested to determine the concentration of fine metals to be extracted. A constant digging, digging and yet more digging is determined upon the earth to obtain enough ore to process. Though nuggets are easily seen, gold and silver ore are intermingled with many impurities that need to be refined. Many Christians, ‘begotten from above,” display many “nuggets” of godly character; however, impurities exist and must be eliminated in order to have a pure metal (thoughts, actions, intentions of the heart…). No person on this earth can bypass this process of extraction and refining. It is imperative that the work is allowed to happen.

Phillipians 3:14, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

We present our bodies as a “living” sacrifice, in order to freely give our will over to our Heavenly Father in order for the task of refining to commence and continue till we come face to face with Him.

Romans 12:1, I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

We are of this earth and therefore contain the precious metals our Father so yearns to refine in us. What needs to be extracted are the things of this world.

For this reason it is important to understand the three part separation that is in us.

Heb 4:12, “For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Mankind has three types of ore: Flesh, soul and spirit. It’s important to know what the Lord is working on in order to be in cooperation with the process… To know how to pray and what it is that our Father is working on: the Body (Sensual appetites), soul (mind, will and emotion) and the building of a contrite and humble spirit that has taken back control of the temple, sealed and immersed in the Holy Spirit.

It is interesting to note that silver and gold were needed in preparing the tabernacle of God. To extract the gold from the earth, intense heat for long periods of time were needed. When it was seen that the gold was separating from the ore, SALT was added and more heat applied until pure silver or gold was reached. Salt!…Hummmm.

Matt 5:13,”You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty {again?} It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.”

Salt is a chemical compound of Sodium and Chloride or Sodium Chloride. A form of silver and gold extraction used presently is the addition of chlorides into the extraction process to lossen the gold from the earth. God is amazing and awesomely wonderful. When giving instructions on preparing the Tabernacle of Yahweh, He put it into the hearts of man to perform all He said to do. Though they never did it before, the Israelites intuitively knew to add salt in order to extract and refine pure silver and gold.

Ex. 31: 1-6, Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,”See, I have called by name Bezalel, the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah.”I have filled him with the Spirit of God in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all {kinds of} craftsmanship,to make artistic designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all {kinds of} craftsmanship. ”And behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the hearts of all who are skillful I have put skill, that they may make all that I have commanded you:

God’s design, God’s Wisdom, under God’s power, it was determined upon all who were skillful to execute His Sovereign plan. Chlorides bind with the precious metals and loosen it from the earth.  Chlorides are very caustic and deadly. Other forms of present day extractions use cyanide or mercury. Yahweh has His caustic solution…His Holy Spirit and the work of the Cross of Yahshua to extract the world out of us. He adds the salt or the “seasoning of His presence” to bring out the savour of His life in us.

The following is a very true and applicable saying; ” the hotter the fire, the purer the gold.” The process of His work is known as “affliction.” I know of no other way God uses to purify His people.

Is. 48:10,  Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Affliction, suffering, poverty, sickness… these things when combined with the salt of His spirit loosens the grip the world has on us. That is, if one continues the race to the mark for the prize of the high calling of God. ” The FURNACE of AFFLICTION.”  Heat is key to the refining process. The only way to gain the Wisdom and understanding of God is to go through the intense heat of the fiery furnace of affliction. The world has such a grip on our souls and flesh, that it takes drastic measures to release its stronghold on us. Nothing of the flesh (earth, world, “dust of the earth”) will inherit eternal life; but, will be burned away and vanish as if never having existed.

Pure precious metal is the product needed for God to use any of us. Even after the process of refining is over, there is a hammering and overlaying work to be done. The constant battling of the flesh and the desire for the soul to take ascendancy over the spirit man, there is a need for the buffeting of one’s flesh and soul for remainder of one’s existence on earth. The spirit of man must rise up and take ascendency over the soul and the flesh. Remember, God only speaks through His Spirit into our spirit.

2 Tim 2:12,  If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

Not knowing the day and hour one’s departure from this earth, it is of the utmost urgency to present our bodies, submit to affliction and be refined.

Ps. 22:26, The afflicted will eat and be satisfied; Those who seek Him will praise the LORD. Let your heart live forever!

True Christianity, rather true discipleship from Yahshua, is not for wimps! We do not serve a weak god. He is mighty in our weakness. We are strong in Him alone.

Ps. 12:5,  Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the LORD; “I will set him in the safety for which he longs.”

IF, in our affliction we cry out to Yahweh, in the Name of Yahshua Messhiach, He will set us in safety. He will answer us in hardship and have mercy. BUT!!! Only through affliction.

Affliction comes in many forms and can appear as an emptiness in our soul, a yearning in our spirit for more of Him. Our affliction can be an overwhelming desire for more of God and our soul is in a wilderness and seemingly separate from the manifest presence of God. Our desire becomes the deep groaning of our spirit. Or affliction can be utter despair or terminal sickness and pain. We cry and cry out for God to intervene for times of refreshing from the Lord. It seems as if ten lifetimes have passed us by since God has spoken to us or touched us.

Ps 42:5,  Why are you in despair, O my soul? And {why} have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him {For} the help of His presence

Ps 139:7-12 ,  Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. f I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, And the light around me will be night,”Even the darkness is not dark to You, And the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike {to You.}

Ps 22:24, For He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; Nor has He hidden His face from him; But when he cried to Him for help, He heard

There exists a mighty, awesome, wonderful and very present help and hope in time of trouble. Keep crying out to Abba Father. Reach your heads and hands toward Heaven and take hold of His Glorious salvation for in God’s time, He promises to save, heal and deliver. For there is nowhere we can go that is away from Him. One more thing, affliction can cause resentment haughty attitudes that must be combatted or there will come loss to our earthly and eternal lives:

Ps 18:27,  For You save an afflicted people, But haughty eyes You abase.

As little children, cry out to God with the full assurance of Faith and times of refreshing will come. Yahshua was refreshed after His affliction in the wilderness 40 days. Keep on keepin’ on. He is a mighty, loving God with a purpose and a plan for our lives. Let the great Physician touch and save.