text: Refining fire is inevitable because it’s necessary. It’s necessary because of the condition in which every one of us finds ourselves. We’re particles of spiritual gold embedded in the hard rock of sin. It doesn’t do any good to say I’m not as bad as a murderer or child molester, or even a grouchy co-worker. The gold that’s in us has been diffused by the clumps of pride and self-interest, lust and lies, envy and anger that, in varying degrees and mixtures, make up our raw ore. If the gold is us in going to have value, it needs to be extracted from these impurities.
  The prophet Jeremiah tells us : Therefore, this is what the Almighty says: “See, I will refine and test them, for what else can I do because of the sin of my people?” (Jeremiah 9:7) And John warns us that If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John1: 8-9)
  We need refining because we’re sinful. Deceit is in us and all around us, and the most damaging deceit of all is self-deceit. We have a great capacity to deny what we don’t want to see. A refining fire gets our attention. It makes us aware of our actual condition, and doesn’t allow us to delude ourselves. Being refined is a process that is usual, necessary and fair.