Refiner's Fire
The Refiner's Fire is a process of spiritual purification and growth through suffering and trials, where God's love is revealed in the midst of pain.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that through suffering, believers can discover the depth of God's love and the transformative power of faith. He explains that pain can purify the heart, detach us from worldly distractions, and instill a longing for heavenly peace, often teaching us lessons that joy cannot. Tozer warns against the modern Christian pursuit of mere peace and prosperity, urging a return to the serious and challenging aspects of faith that are essential for true spiritual growth. He acknowledges that while this message may resonate with only a few, these individuals are crucial for the survival of authentic Christianity in future generations.
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Slowly you will discover God?s love in your suffering. Your heart will begin to approve the whole thing. You will learn from yourself what all the schools in the world could not teach you--the healing action of faith without supporting pleasure. You will feel and understand the ministry of the night; its power to purify, to detach, to humble, to destroy the fear of death and, what is more important to you at the moment, the fear of life. And you will learn that sometimes pain can do what even joy cannot, such as exposing the vanity of earth?s trifles and filling your heart with longing for the peace of heaven. What I write here is in no way original.
This has been discovered anew by each generation of Christian seekers and is almost a clich? of the deeper life.
Yet it needs to be said to this generation of believers often and with emphasis, for the type of Christianity now in vogue does not include anything as serious and as difficult as this. The quest of the modern Christian is likely to be for peace of mind and spiritual joy, with a good degree of material prosperity thrown in as an external proof of the divine favor. Some will understand this, however, even if the number is relatively small, and they will constitute the hard core of practicing saints so badly needed at this serious hour if New Testament Christianity is to survive to the next generation.
Sermon Outline
- The Refiner's Fire
- God's love in suffering
- The healing action of faith
- The ministry of the night
Key Quotes
“Slowly you will discover God's love in your suffering.” — A.W. Tozer
“You will learn from yourself what all the schools in the world could not teach you--the healing action of faith without supporting pleasure.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must be willing to face suffering and trials in order to experience spiritual growth and purification.
- The healing action of faith can be experienced even in the midst of pain and suffering.
- We must seek a deeper understanding of New Testament Christianity and live out its principles in order to be a part of the 'hard core of practicing saints'.