God Would Not Rub So Hard
God uses afflictions to purify and cleanse us, removing the dross and impurities from our hearts.
Thomas Brooks emphasizes that God uses afflictions as a means to cleanse and purify His people, comparing them to fire that burns away impurities and dross. He illustrates that just as fire freed the three champions from their cords, afflictions can liberate Christians from their vanities and sins. Brooks explains that these trials serve various purposes, such as purging, washing, and refining, ultimately leading to a more radiant faith. He reassures that God's intense discipline is a sign of His love and desire for purity in our hearts.
Text
"I will turn My hand against you and will burn away
your dross completely; I will remove all your impurities."
Isaiah 1:25
Afflictions cleanse and purge away the dross, the filth,
and the scum of the Christian.
All the harm the fire did to the three children, or rather
the three champions--was to burn off their cords. Our
lusts are cords of vanity, but the fire of affliction shall
burn them up. Sharp afflictions are a fire--to purge out
our dross, and to make our graces shine; they are a
potion--to carry away ill humours; they are cold frosts
--to destroy the vermin; they are a tempestuous sea--
to purge the wine from its dregs; they are a sharp
corrosive--to eat out the dead flesh.
Afflictions are compared to washing--which takes away
the filth of the soul, as water does the filth of the body.
God would not rub so hard, were it not to fetch out
the dirt and spots that are in His people's hearts.
Sermon Outline
- The Purifying Power of Afflictions
- Afflictions cleanse and purge away the dross of the Christian
- The fire of affliction burns away lusts and vanity
- Sharp afflictions make graces shine and purify the soul
Key Quotes
“God would not rub so hard, were it not to fetch out the dirt and spots that are in His people's hearts.” — Thomas Brooks
“Sharp afflictions are a fire--to purge out our dross, and to make our graces shine;” — Thomas Brooks
“Afflictions are compared to washing--which takes away the filth of the soul, as water does the filth of the body.” — Thomas Brooks
Application Points
- We should see afflictions as opportunities for growth and purification, rather than as obstacles to be avoided.
- God's sovereignty and love are evident in His use of afflictions to refine and cleanse us.
- We should seek to have a heart that is open to God's refining work, and to trust in His goodness and love.