Refine:
transitive verb
1: to free (something, such as metal, sugar, or oil) from impurities or unwanted material
2: to free from moral imperfection: elevate
3: to improve or perfect by pruning or polishing <refine a poetic style>
4: to reduce in vigor or intensity
5: to free from what is coarse, vulgar, or uncouth
intransitive verb
1: to become pure or perfected
2: to make improvement by introducing subtleties or distinctions
I love the picture that is painted in this definition – to free something from impurities; to remove any trace of imperfection. The end result is so beautiful.
Many people hear the word refine, and they think of refining gold – removing any impurities or imperfections that exists, so as to increase the value. It is the final stage in production; the last step before the gold is flawless and ready. To accomplish this step, the gold must be heated in a furnace until it is so hot, it melts. Then, some ingredients are added, and the pure gold separates from everything else. Everything that was bonded to it is removed, and you are left with a precious metal, pure and perfect.
Whether you are talking about precious metals, or precious souls, the refining process is not necessarily a pleasant one.
I will bring the one-third through the fire,
Will refine them as silver is refined,
And test them as gold is tested.
They will call on My name,
And I will answer them.
I will say, 'This is My people';
And each one will say, 'The Lord is my God.'"
-Zechariah 13:9-
We go through the fire, and it can be painful at times to walk through certain seasons in our lives. But, we have to remember that God’s mighty hand is always at work – plucking away, little by little, that which separates us from Him. Removing bondage to sin that ensnares us, casting down idols that captivate us, and eliminating barriers that keep us from fully surrendering to Him and His will.
Freeing us.
Don’t misunderstand, Christ has paid the price for our freedom on the cross – we need only repent and believe. But, Philippians 1:6 says that “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” God continues to work on us, because He wants us to be conformed to the image of His Son. He wants us to fully surrender and give up all the things that are keeping us from experiencing true freedom in Him.
One thing I find interesting about the gold-making process, is that after it has been refined, it is too soft for most uses. So, it’s mixed with another metal to strengthen it.
Christ must be that metal for us.
He is infinitely stronger than us, but He is does not withhold that strength. When our faith is placed in Him, that strength will fortify and sustain us. It reveals and reinforces how much we need Him, and reminds us that He will always be there.
What a privilege it will be, to one day look back on our lives and see how holiness has filled the space where impurities used to lay. Until then, like silver or gold, we will continue to be made beautiful in the fire.
