In God's Furnace

Gal. 5:16-26, (16, 18, 25); Prov. 17:3; 27:21

SUBJECT: Power for Purity

                                                                                   

THEME: Like a refiner purifying gold, God uses a furnace to refine and improve the quality of believers’ faith, character and service. We must maintain a yielded, cooperative, and participating attitude to come forth as the finest gold. Remember this truth: “The price of spiritual power is purity of heart.”

RELEVANCE: God not only removes the impurities from our lives and character, but he endeavors to refine and improve our lives in pursuit of the likeness to Jesus Christ. While he certainly subtracts the wickedness and sin, he also installs holy fruit and habits instead. The imagery of a furnace appears frightening, but it is important for us to understand how intensely God desires to develop the image of Christ in each of us. His fire will edify and purge the believer’s heart and habits; He will lead us into more effective series of positive changes resulting in purity and usefulness. 

INTRODUCTION:

Refining is the process of reducing the impurities in a substance. You can't turn crude oil into gasoline without first refining it. ... Refining can also mean the act of making something more efficient, such as a business process, or clear, such as an idea or argument. (Vocabulary.com) Often the Lord uses the metaphor of refining to point to his gracious and transformative work in the believers heart, character, and behaviors.

Proverbs 27:21, As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; So is a man to his praise.^[a]

Proverbs 17:3, The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: But the Lord trieth the hearts.^[b]

Precious metals are separated (extracted), purified, and concentrated through the refining process. As a result refined metals are more precious and valuable than raw ore. Many believers have emerged from the furnace of affliction more beautiful, refined and more useful to God than before.

Spiritual refining involves divine and human activities. The believer is to refine his praise to the Lord, and the Lord will test the hearts of believers to refine our character. Note the phrase in both passages, “the furnace for gold.” Yes, the furnace is for purifying and refining gold. Gold is one of the most valuable metals on the planet; refining is for improving that which is valuable and precious. The refining involves removing the impurities AND concentrating the valuable metal for higher usages and purposes. This is precisely the Lord’s express purpose in Malachi 3:2-3, which says,

But who may abide the day of his coming?

And who shall stand when he appeareth?

For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:

And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver:

And he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver,

That they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.^[c]

Likewise, the Lord still undertakes to refine our character, clarify our purpose, raise us to higher endeavors, and use us in more meaningful ways and services for his glory.

Psalm 12:6, The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

It is God's ambition and hopefully our desire to refine and improve the quality of our faith, character and service unto the Lord. Though we are tried seven times in a furnace, our hope is to come forth as gold. Is this desire in your heart? Do you yearn to be more like the Lord Jesus? Really...do you want this?

The Spirit’s Refining Fire—Cultivating Christ-Likeness in God’s Furnace (Gal. 5:22-23).

The Spirit’s Fire Refines our Faith in God, Increases our Value to Others, Improves the Quality of our Character, and Heightens our usefulness in God’s Service. By developing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, the Holy Spirit transforms the quality of our Christian experience by adding tremendous value.

Gal. 5:22, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.^[d]

The more the Spirit fills and controls our minds and hearts the more this fruit will be evident in our character, expressions and ministry. It is vital for us to understand that bearing fruit is a supernatural production wrought by God's Spirit.

Dr. W. MacDonald agrees and comments on this passage saying,

It is significant that the apostle distinguishes between the works of the flesh, and the fruit of the Spirit. Works are produced by human energy. Fruit is grown as a branch abides in the vine (John 15:5). They differ as a factory and a garden differ. Note that fruit is singular, not plural. The Holy Spirit produces one kind of fruit, that is, Christlikeness. All the virtues now listed describe the life of the child of God. Dr. C. I. Scofield has pointed out that every one of them is foreign to the soil of the human heart.^[e]

Concerning the dynamics of the “fruit of the Spirit,” and how this fruit is produced Dr. D. K. Campbell writes,

It is important to observe that the fruit here described is not produced by a believer, but by the Holy Spirit working through a Christian who is in vital union with Christ (cf. John 15:1–8). The word “fruit” is singular, indicating that these qualities constitute a unity, all of which should be found in a believer who lives under the control of the Spirit. In an ultimate sense this “fruit” is simply the life of Christ lived out in a Christian. It also points to the method whereby Christ is formed in a believer (cf. 2 Cor. 3:18; Phil. 1:21).^[f]

Again this is not merely people learning more, acquiring new skills, or broadening their experience. While these developmental strategies are employed, the outcomes are utterly dependent upon the Holy Spirit. This is God shaping Christ-likeness (character) in you and me.  Yes, we all have some kind of character whether good or bad, but this is the choice jewel of all character development--to be conformed to the image of God's precious Son! What an extraordinary honor for us! 

One more foundational observation is necessary at this point, and it can be grasped in Galatians 5:5. This passage testifies to the fact that there is an inter-dependence between the Spirit of God and the believer to produce righteousness in us. Note thoughtfully what the Apostle Paul writes in Galatians 5:5, "For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."^[g]

Don't miss his emphasis..."for we through the Spirit"! This is the vital relationship highlighting a collaborative exchange between us and the Lord. The word “wait” refers to looking and eagerly anticipating a virtuous and honorable lifestyle—the constant practice of righteousness. Ultimately, this is glorification, but immediately it refers to sanctification. Because of the indwelling Holy Spirit, an attitude of intense yearning and an eager waiting for holiness resides in us. Such a godly and holy lifestyle can be constantly produced in our lives by the Holy Spirit as we trust him for it and yield our entire being to Him. While this is not sinless perfection, it is an active desire for living free of sinful practices and being drenched with the power of God unto continuing holy expression. This desire—this passion for godliness—this longing and dependence upon the Spirit for right-ness—is evidence of holy refining fire within! Are you on fire for God? Does a holy passion for right-ness abide in you? Is it consuming you? 

1.     One Purpose of the Holy Spirit’s Indwelling is to Refine Believers and Cultivate Christ-like Character within us.

A.    To Produce the Fruit of the Spirit—Christ-like Character. The beautiful fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith meekness, and temperance, and this is our character (Gal 5:22-23). God refines by His Spirit.

B.    To Take Great Care in Developing Holy Character. We must actually and actively add to our faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity (2Pet. 1:5-8). God commands us to give all diligence to add to our faith! That is throw yourself into it. Please do not confuse this with fleshly or carnal human strength or effort! We have an obligation to cooperate with the Spirit to cultivate higher quality in our character. Character develops through our decisions and the deliberate development of holy habits.

C.    God aims to produce fine gold in you and me! Job 23:10, But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

D.    Choose a Spirit-filled Life to be truly Fruitful and Refined deep within.

E.    Walk daily in the Spirit’s Power and Grace—by faith depend on Him to Produce the Fruit of the Spirit in your experience (Gal. 5:16, 22, 23).

F.     Relationally, such believers are gracious, pleasant, well-adjusted, capable, and great to be around and to work with.

2.     God has Specific Processes and a Clear Purpose for Refining Believers.

A.    God uses the Process of Persecution to Refine us (1Pet. 1:7).

B.    God uses the Process of Intense Trails (often in series) to Refine Us (Js. 1:2-8).

C.    God uses the Process of Corrective Judgments to Refine us (Isa. 1:25; 48:10; Jer. 9:7; Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:2, 3).

D.    God uses the Process of Heart Examinations to Refine us (Jdg. 7:4 (Gideon’s men); Pss. 17:3b; 26:2b; 66:10).

E.    Trust the Lord to Choose the Best Processes for you and Cooperate with Him fully.

F.     Such believers can be greatly used of the Lord for special ministry and service in a broken and hurting world.

G.   God’s purpose in refinement is Christ-likeness (Rom. 8:28-29; 2Cor. 3:18; Phil. 1:22).

             3.     But, Commitment and Cooperation with The Refining Process are My Responsibility.

A.    Aspire to be a Faithful and Useful Servant of God by giving Careful Adherence to God’s Word (2Tim. 2:15-23).

B.    Engender a Habit of Regular Self-Examination and make Changes that align your Life with God’s Will. Psalm 119:9, Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. 

C.    Surrender to the Spirit to Produce His Graceful Fruit in your Experience (Gal. 5:22-23).

D.    Throw yourself into Developing Real Christian Character (2Pet. 1:5-8).

4. Refining Fire Will Involve Afflictions and Trials, But It Will Also Bring Eternal Glory.

A.    2 Cor. 4:17, For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory

B.    God will be with you through the night seasons!

C.    The Refiner’s Fire—As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” (Malachi 3:3) She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, ‘How do you know when the silver is fully refined?’ He smiled at her and answered, ‘Oh, that’s easy — when I see my image in it.’

               5.     The Refining of Believers Requires Fire (Testing, Persecutions, Corrective Judgments, Self-Examinations, and the Ministry of the Spirit).

A.    Isa. 1:25, And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:

B.    Fire—or Intense Temperature—is used to Melt and Purify Metals (1 Pet.1:6-9). This image was applied to God's people (1 Pet. 4:12-19) repeatedly! (Read also about the comfort God affords in 2Cor. 1:3-7).

C.    Watch out for Resentment and Anger! Guard against resenting the Lord’s authority or refuse to become angry with the Lord because of the challenges he uses in your experiences. Do not allow yourself to doubt his wisdom, love, or power. Resist the need or desire to control your circumstances; yield control to the Lord and trust his love and efforts to be for your good.  

D.    God works to Cleanse Believers of All the Father deems Impure. The Holy Spirit literally burns sin out of us so that we won’t burn in our sinful desires. Recall what Paul wrote in Romans 8:10-11, And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. [11] But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

E.    The result of the Spirit’s Influence is Spiritual Refinement and Power.

1.Reduced impurities in the heart, mind, spirit, and soul.

2.Enhanced skills, sharper vision, proven strategies, and advanced leadership skills.

3.Refined and free from coarse, unsuitable, or immoral characteristics! 

4.Refined spiritually in manners, lifestyle, and speech.

5.Polished for special, unique, and delicate areas of service! (Mal. 3:3)

Conclusion:

Like a refiner purifying gold, God uses a furnace to refine and improve the quality of believers’ faith, character and service. We must maintain a yielded, cooperative, and participating attitude to come forth as the finest gold.

Romans 12:1, says, 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.

Isn’t it time to present ourselves to God once and for all? He obviously has great plans for us, but are you willing to be refined in His furnace? There are many in line to get a title, a position, to have some power or authority…. There is no want for people who want recognition for their involvement and volunteering…. The question before us is, are you ready to change for the better by the fire of God’s Spirit? Is there a burning passion in you to truly become more like Jesus?

Perhaps our need is still more along the lines of cleansing and purging? Will you pray with the Psalmist?

Psalm 139:23, says, Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Psalm 51:10, says, Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Can God show you where you are from His perspective? Will you submit to His thorough examinations? Is there a cry in you to be recreated deep within…to have a clean heart? Do you yearn for personal revival? 

Remember this truth: “The price of spiritual power is a purity of heart.” Ask God to reveal anything that might hinder His flow of power in your life.

• Do I treasure deceptive and misleading goals, sinful-worldly pleasures, Christ-dishonoring habits, ugly pride, myself or my friends?
• Have I fully submitted to the authority of my Lord expressed in the Bible by refusing conformity to this world while choosing the transforming power of a spiritually renewed mind (Romans 12:1, 2)?

---

^[a] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Pr 27:21). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[b] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Pr 17:3). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[c] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Mal 3:2–3). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[d] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ga 5:22–23). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[e] MacDonald, W. (1995). Believer’s Bible Commentary: Old and New Testaments. (A. Farstad, Ed.) (p. 1894). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.

^[f] Campbell, D. K. (1985). Galatians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 608). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^[g] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Ga 5:5). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

The Spirit's Purifying Fire

Galatians 5:16-26 (16, 18, 25); Titus 2:13-14

Subject: Power for Purity                                                                             

Theme: Walking in the Spirit results in purity, spiritual power, and growth in righteousness. Remember, “The price of spiritual power is purity of heart.”

Relevance: Beyond any doubt the Holy Spirit promotes spiritual freedom from sin’s enslavement and control. He advances maturity and responsible holy living even though our culture embraces moral corruption and the accompanying dishonorable behavior patterns. If you make corruption easy, normal (appear acceptable) and convenient it will go unchallenged in many hearts. In contrast, the Spirit's purifying influence supports or installs virtue, integrity and decency; He is the secret to victorious and fulfilling Christian experience. Really our culture can use a serious moral and spiritual upgrade! The Holy Spirit's purifying fire will purge the believer’s heart and habits...our minds and hands; He will lead us into sin-destroying triumphs freeing us from the control of our carnal nature. 

Introduction:

1. The Spirit Purifies Us Believer By Freeing Us From the Dominance, Slavery, and Mastery of Our Carnal Fleshly Human Nature. Galatians 5:16, says, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” (Also See Gal. 5:25)

Through a faithful “walk in the Spirit” we realize the blessings of freedom from sinful practices even when sin seems unmovable and extremely stubborn! Additionally, the Spirit, like fire, will illuminate the darkest sins hiding in the deepest recesses of our souls and purge it so significantly that it no longer tortures us through our motivations and desires. The promise of Galatians 5:16 is the Spirit of the Living God grants the trusting believer power and grace to refuse the gratification of carnal and fleshly desires. 

Even those feelings and yearnings just under the surface of our carnality waiting for the precise occasion to spring into destructive activity cannot escape His Fire. The Spirit of God affords us the power to reject and deny these "lusts" and motives expression or satisfaction. This is a wonderful part of our victorious freedom as we continue walking in the Holy Spirit’s power and grace! This walk is a step by step constant dependence upon God to strengthen and enable liberty from fleshly self-gratifying desires. 

The Spirit’s Power Helps Us Realize the Promise of Victory Over Habitual Sins (Gal. 5:16-18).

“The answer to the abuses described in the previous verse is to live by the Spirit. The phrase literally means to, “keep on walking.” As a believer walks through life he should depend on the indwelling Holy Spirit for guidance and power. But the Spirit does not operate automatically in a believer’s heart. He waits to be depended on. When a Christian does yield to the Spirit’s control, the promise is that he will not in any wise gratify, “complete, fulfill” in outward action) the desires of the sinful nature. Thus, while no believer will ever be entirely free in this life from the evil desires that stem from his fallen human nature, he need not capitulate to them, but may experience victory by the Spirit’s help.”—John Walvoord

With these concepts in clear view, let us look at a purifying ministry of the Holy Spirit.

Lesson:

The Spirit’s Removing Fire—Cleansing (Gal. 5:18-21).

By this I mean the Holy Spirit’s Fire Actually Purifies by Removing Wrong Attitudes from the Heart and Sinful Actions from the Believers Life. Impurities are Filtered out of our Daily Experiences.

The sins identified in this list are sensual, seditious, and superstitious transgressions (Gal. 5:19-21). They are violations of God’s holy law rooted in the fallen fleshly nature of all humanity. They are actions and motivations that taint and soil the soul in the gravest ways. They warp the mind, poison the human spirit, and destroy any chance of healthy relationships. Many of these are obviously sinful practices, but there are some mentioned here that the average person would not even consider as sins. Strife, envy, witchcraft, adultery, drunkenness, and reveling would not appear on some lists of sins. These have been approved, renamed, glamorized, and sanctioned by modern society. These behaviors and desires are so commonly featured in entertainment venues that we scarcely regard them as moral failures. Yes, sin is entertaining to our modern society; other forms of transgression are actually celebrated and advocated by the general populous and special interests groups. 

Speaking of special interests...elected officials and politicians routinely use their offices for personal financial favors. Bribery is alive and well the world around. I wonder how many laws were passed to secure special favors, kickbacks, and implied promises.... It appears to me at least...that if you have the money to significantly support a political campaign then you can leverage this for favorable results/accommodations during that term in office. If a lobbying agency influences congressmen and judges then it can control the direction of the state or the entire country touching certain matters of special interest. How many financial gains, special gifts, and exotic vacations have shaped political policy? I am afraid "quid pro quo" is not dead…why it’s not even sick! When special favors and personal benefits influence official decisions, policy, and even legislation then it is corruption that is at play. Too many elected representatives promise one thing, but really take care of number one while in public office. Beloved, we are experiencing serious erosion of ethical standards all over our political landscape. 

Believe it or not the Spirit of God can help the individual believer live above such moral corruption. This is worldliness and carnality. The “works of the flesh” are identified by a holy God as gross moral failures and stark violations of God's requirements. God designed life for fellowship with us; his plan includes blessing and liberty from all that interferes with that healthy fellowship. Yes, he stands opposed to marital unfaithfulness, shacking up, playing the field, night clubbing, homosexual practices, pornography, wife beating, child abuse, rape, incest, lying, bribery, extortion, embezzlement, cheating, stealing, fraud, pride, and on the list goes! Again our culture views this perspective as outdated and antiquated, but there is a better way involving release and freedom from the control of sinful practices. The good news is that God actively engages us to give us victory over such enslaving habits and entrenched sin. The fire of God’s Spirit has a cleansing and life changing impact on the submissive and cooperative believer in Christ Jesus.

1. The Spirit’s Fire Penetrates into the Realm of Our Attitudes and Desires—the Heart.

The solution to sin's controlling enslavement through our fallen nature is the Holy Spirit who diametrically  opposes the flesh. Again he is portrayed in the Word of God as a purifying and sin purging fire. He convicts us and removes sin from our daily experiences. He not only burns sin from us, but cleanses the heart of the believer so that we no longer desire to practice those same sins (Gal. 5:16, 25, 26). The struggles with wicked thoughts, desires and strong yearnings of the carnal heart is ongoing, but a conscious “walk in the Spirit” by faith enables us to deny the fleshly desires any expression. We do not need to give our carnal nature the upper hand—we can say “no” to the flesh!

Once He has purified us, part of the purification process is a desire in us to remain pure. Wrong desires can largely be displaced by right desires and the believer will actually undertake specific efforts to cleanse himself and stay clean. The marvelous truth is the Spirit of grace is at work in our hearts and minds. We must ensure we look to him in utter dependence and faith in his power to grant victory.  

2. The Expressed Goal of Salvation is Redemptive and Purification! Titus 2:13-14, says, “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; [14] Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Also see Eph. 5:25-28)

Accordingly, Christ’s incredible sacrifice was not to permit us to passively endure an existence dominated by slavery to our fallen fleshly nature. Christ certainly gave himself to pay our sin debt delivering us from blood-guiltiness and eternal punishment for sin in Hell.

He also willingly gave himself without any reservation to redeem, deliver, and set us free from daily enslavement to sinful habits, deeds and practices. His goal was to purify or cleanse us from all iniquities and impurities. “Iniquity” refer to living with complete disregard for the plan, purpose, will, and laws of God. Beloved, one purpose of Christ's cross is freedom from the power of the flesh. God grants the ability to live in righteousness and holiness from the inside out. God’s people have no excuse for living carelessly in sin, lawlessness, and carnally indulgent lives. That’s a contradiction!

3. Often in Scripture fire is used to convey the process of purification and refinement. Fire is also a symbol by which the Holy Spirit’s work in believers’ hearts can be understood. Taken together the result is spiritually purified hearts by the cleansing flame of the Spirit of Burning. Note the following passages:

Acts 2:3, says, “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.” You will recall that the Holy Spirit’s manifestation is described as divided tongues, “like as of fire.”  In another place God is described in His judgment role as a consuming fire (Deut 4:24; 9:3)!  Hebrews 12:29, says, “For our God is a consuming fire.”

In one other place God commands believers to stir up the flames of revival in the soul, and fan into a brilliant flame the gift of God.  2 Tim. 1:6, says, “Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.”

Then we are told that God labors to purge us like precious metals to remove impurities and refine us for greater usages—these are chastening and judgment acts of God upon His people. Isaiah 1:25, states, “And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin:”

Isaiah 4:4, also says, “When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.”

“This cleansing is done by the blast of the Spirit’s burning. Here is the searching, illuminating, refining, dross-consuming character of the Spirit. He burns up the dross in our lives …” –Evans, W. 1998, c1974. The Great Doctrines of The Bible.

The Spirit of God's cleansing activity in our lives is like fire; he discovers the sin and with our cooperation he empowers us to utterly reject carnal practices. The result is purity of life.

4. Fire and Burning Are Not Necessarily Comfortable Images to Us. Fire sounds painful, and sometimes the fire of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives is painful. His chastisements and admonishments often go against what we desire in the fleshly, human nature. But the results of His purification process are glorious!

As the Lord purifies us, our motives, behavior and goals become acceptable in His sight and are effectively prepared for use in His kingdom. Purification is a necessary part of our being sanctified, which is to be cleansed and set aside as holy in God’s eyes.  Hebrews 12:10-11, states, “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. [11] Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.  (See also 1 Pet. 4:12-14)

The Lord is highly motivated to to purify his people because he loves and treasures each of us in ways difficult for us to understand. During the corrective measures he takes with us, it is very difficult to appreciate what he is doing or how he is going about it. Our part is to take such passages very seriously--trust him, takes some inventory, confess our personal failures and embrace holy and submissive attitudes towards him. God's goal is that we become fruitful and productive believers. We all must anticipate yielding the "peaceable fruit of righteousness" under his cultivating hand. I know I need this kind of care from the Father in my life. 

5. Purity of Heart Cannot Be Separated from the Fire of the Holy Spirit.

That’s a vital concept for us to understand. We are purified by the Holy Spirit, and we continue to walk in purity because of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power in us. There is no way we can clean up our lives apart from His enabling us to do so. While it is true a person can change their habits and behavior without the Holy Spirit, they never the less cannot alter the state of their hearts. Nor can they truly please the Lord through their independent self-efforts. The Spirit truly gets to the heart of the matter where real transformation transpires.

6. Many People Attempt to Clean up Their Lives by a Mere Change in Their Behavior. They start going to church, attending Bible study, giving some of their money to God, reading their Bibles, and saying their prayers. All of these are good things, but it is best to yield to the Spirit first! None of these actions drive sin from our lives effectively without Him. Only as we yield to the Holy Spirit can we truly be cleansed like God desires. Our attitude toward God’s disciplinary burning to remove sinful actions, activities, ambitions, and attitudes should be acceptance, appreciation and yielded-ness.

The Lord Jesus said in Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Beloved, this is wise counsel from our Lord. There is no room for objections and debate; we all must submit to our Lord’s directive. Remember, such guidance proceeds from a great heart of love; he is the one who died for us to deliver us from the penalty and power of sin. Jesus would that we be free by the power of the Holy Ghost in our daily experiences. Repenting of sin is well within order. 

The Book of Job reminds us of the blessedness of God’s corrective love in our experiences. Job 5:17, says, “Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty”.  We should count ourselves happy or blessed to have such care from the Almighty Father.  Too many parents simply allow their children to do whatever they want. These young people live very insecure lives in a dangerous and hostile world. No one loves them enough to guide them away from the landmines and pitfalls. Not true of genuine believers! We have the security of the Father's love and the guidance He affords to lead us into freedom, liberty, and purity of habits and heart. Beloved, don’t reject God’s corrective and life changing initiatives; it is wise to submit and embrace his will. The happiest people on planet earth are cared for by Almighty God. They appreciate the Spirit of God's efforts to purge and purify their experiences. 

Conclusion:

Psalm 139:23, Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Perhaps we all should pray with the Psalmist, “Search me, O God.” In every believer there should be a desire to be clean and an awareness of strategies to stay clean. Cooperating with the Holy Spirit is God's will for each of us. Find a place to get alone with the Lord and then do some house cleaning. 

Keep this truth uppermost in your thinking: “The price of spiritual power is purity of heart.” Ask God to reveal anything that might hinder His flow of power in your life.

·       Do I treasure deceptive and misleading goals, sinful-worldly pleasures, Christ-dishonoring habits, ugly pride, myself or my friends?

·       Have I fully submitted to the authority of my Lord expressed in the Bible by refusing conformity to this world while choosing the transforming power of a spiritually renewed mind (Romans 12:1, 2)?

 NOTHING BETWEEN

Words and music by Charles A. Tindley, 1851–1933

Nothing between my soul and the Savior, naught of this world’s delusive dream: I have renounced all sinful pleasure—Jesus is mine! There’s nothing between.

Nothing between, like worldly pleasure! Habits of life, tho harmless they seem, must not my heart from Him ever sever—He is my all! There’s nothing between.

Nothing between, like pride or station: Self or friends shall not intervene; tho it may cost me much tribulation, I am resolved! There’s nothing between.

Nothing between, e’en many hard trials, tho the whole world against me convene; watching with prayer and much self denial—Triumph at last, with nothing between!

Chorus: Nothing between my soul and the Savior, so that His blessed face may be seen. Nothing preventing the least of His favor: Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.

Sin-Reproving Fire

John 16:7-8; Hebrews 12:29

Subject: Power through Purity

                                                                                    

Theme: Walking in the Spirit results in power for living, a life of spiritual freedom, and righteousness as He dynamically purifies us. The path to cleansing begins with realizing we are not clean…that we are gravely soiled and stained by sin. Remember this truth: “The price of spiritual power is purity of heart.”

Relevance:

Spiritual cleansing of the mind, emotions, and attitude is necessary in every believer to mature in grace. Jesus prayed that we might be sanctified by the Word of truth in John 17. Before we can get rid of sinful practices, we need to recognize them as sinful. The Holy Spirit in his reproving and teaching roles enable believers to become aware of and confront our sin God’s way. Accordingly, spiritual freedom is deliverance from the dominance and control of sin. It does not in any way lead to a license to sin freely! Rather, the Spirit promotes maturity, and responsible holy living through His purifying influence.  He is the secret to living by grace, through faith, resulting in a victorious and fulfilling Christian experience.  His fire will identify sin and confront the believer’s heart and habits; He will lead us into series of triumphant sin-destroying experiences. 

Introduction:

1. The Holy Spirit's Power in Christians Is like Dynamite. He causes great things to happen! His is an infinite power that blasts sin out of our lives.  What are the characteristics of the Holy Spirit's power in us?

2. There Are Some That View the Holy Spirit’s Power as a ‘Sensational’ or ‘Emotional’ Experience. Supposed special ‘experiences’ or a ‘moving of God’ complete with miracles and healing like the first century apostles have replaced old-fashion holiness. While God can perform a miracle anytime he wants and he can heal any sickness or disease, the current movements fail to produce the holiness, righteousness, and purity as early Christianity did. Certainly these are not valid experiences of the Spirit’s Power today!

3. The Spirit of God is sometimes Portrayed as Fire Representing Judgment, Exposure, and Illumination. Hebrews 12:29 says, “For our God is a consuming fire.”^[1] This is a warning of severe retribution for failing to continue our walk with Christ by faith in grace and godly fear. God is represented by fire. Then the Prophet Isaiah says in Isaiah 4:4, “When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, And shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof By the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.”^[2] This is the work of the Spirit of God! Like fire he will burn away the nation’s pollution and godless ways. God’s new order will prevail as a result of the Spirit’s searching, cleansing and purging the city of its wickedness, carnality, worldliness, and idolatry. God is executing a role of judgment and retribution because of sin. Fire reveals him as searching and illuminating—the Spirit of Burning—exposing sin as offensive and dangerous then dealing with sinful unrepentant individuals in acts of judgment.

With these observations in mind, let us consider a ministry of the Holy Spirit in His purifying role—The Spirit of God illuminating, confronting and reproving sin.    

Lesson:

The Spirit’s Reproving Fire—Convicting (Jn. 16:7-8).

The Blessed Holy Spirit Actually Purifies through His Faithful Ministry of Conviction and Reproof in the Christian’s Soul.   

John 16:7-8, Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. [8] And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

One incredibly important role of the Holy Spirit is that of reproving or convicting of sin.  He exercises himself in this capacity in the lives of the saved and the unsaved. As human beings we are quite adept at explaining away, dismissing, belittling, or justifying our sins. Though sin is extremely dangerous to us, we still have our pet sins, and if let alone we would never confront such issues with any intent to purge them out of our experience. Some have literally become slaves to their sinful thoughts, actions, and habits.  They are very much aware of the fact they are trapped in something dark and evil, but they have not the ability to change it themselves. Thus, the need for the Spirit of God to help us gain God’s perspective on sin and its threats to us.

1. The Spirit of God Will Convict the Believer!

1.     Before we seek to be cleansed of sin, we must first be convicted that we have sinned. “Reproof” is to confute, and admonish: convict, convince, tell a fault, or even rebuke.  The idea is to overwhelm with arguments for the purpose of persuading: to refute conclusively by proving wrong with evidence and argument. The Holy Spirit in a sense takes the sinner to “court” and causes us to recognize our sinful nature/condition and the eternal consequences of our fallen state. This is illumination; we are brought to the awareness of our condition before a perfect God and we realize the weight of our sinfulness.

2.     That is part of the Holy Spirit’s purification process in us. It began when we were lost sinners, but it continues in our Christian experience whenever we are out of the will of God.  He becomes a siren in our soul sounding the alarm because our fellowship with God has been broken through our moral failure in some area.

3.     I remember the great conviction I experienced the night I was saved! Before that night I knew what sin was, and I had a basic idea of what right and wrong are. However, on that night of my conversion I saw my sinfulness as a major offense to a holy God, and I was convinced I could not fix my wrongness myself. The Spirit of God enabled me to see that reality.

4.     One of the most fascinating ministries of the Holy Ghost is His convicting work when we fail to comply with the Lord’s desires and have traveled beyond the borders of His prohibitions. Though this is a fearful matter it is an expression of God's purpose to confront sin wherever it retreats for safety.  

5. The Spirit will present or expose the facts, He will convince of the truth! He works on the mind to show the truth of God for what it is.  Sin is inexcusable violent rebellion against a perfectly holy God!

6.     Most people do not readily admit to being guilty of sin. Some will admit to failures or vices or even crimes. However, sin is against God, and people generally suppress the truth of God (Rom. 1:18, 21, 25, 28).

7.     Therefore the mighty working of the Holy Spirit is necessary to convince and convict people of their desperate situation.

2. The Spirit is Highly Motivated to Purge His Temple.

1. Paul wrote about this to the Corinthians.

                                                    i.     He asked them, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? [17] If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” (1Cor. 3:16–17).

                                                  ii.     God dwells inside believes like the tabernacle and temple in the O. T.

                                                iii.     Therefore, Paul taught the believers’ bodies were sacred places. They were to be holy places filled with God’s Holy Spirit.

2.     In other words, the Corinthians had no right to themselves any longer. They belonged to God. They were His possessions. And the Holy Spirit will not allow anything to coexist with Him in His temple that is not holy, pure, and righteous.

3.     So, the Spirit actively undertakes to reveal and expose sinful thoughts, desires, and actions.

3. The Spirit is Zealous to Reclaim the Wayward Believer.

1.     For that reason, the Holy Spirit convicts us continually and intensely when we sin. This is not a casual matter with the Lord. He never accepts nor understands unchallenged sin in a believer’s heart and life. The level of sobriety and seriousness associated with conviction and exposing sin cannot be over stated. As human beings there may be sins that we readily overlook or dismiss because they are socially acceptable, but this never happens with our Lord. Though he fully understands we need time and opportunity to mature in our Christian walk, there is absolutely no sanctioning or dismissive attitude regarding sin in the heart of the Almighty.

2.     The Fires of Conviction Can Be Physically and Mentally Agonizing.

                                               i.          Psalm 31:9-11, Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. [10] For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed. [11] I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.

                                             ii.          Psalm 38:1-6, O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. [2] For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. [3] There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. [4] For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. [5] My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. [6] I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.

                                           iii.          The conviction flames of God are scorching every aspect of the Psalmist’s life because of sin. Spiritually, emotionally, socially, physically, and psychologically he is burned.

3.     You Don’t See This Kind Of Broiling Over Sin Anymore. 

                                               i.          This type of painfully uncomfortable conviction ought to be familiar, but instead it is strange to us. Our consciences have become insensitive, hearts have been hardened, sin isn’t so bad to us, and we have so little view of the holiness of God.

                                             ii.          All of this proves the zeal of God to get us right and keep us right! The Spirit of Burning will not allow sin to stand unchallenged. (Ephes. 4:29-32)

          D.    Be Tender & Responsive to The Holy Spirit’s Conviction.

1. Be sensitive to the convicting reproving fire of the Spirit in your life.

                                                    i.     Recognize your capacity to respond to God in repentance!

                                                  ii.     Believe godly sorrow will effect and bring about a change in behavior! 2 Cor. 7:10, For godly sorrow [grief over sin] worketh [accomplish and carry out] repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2. Respond to Him with a broken-contrite and humble heart. Face your sin honestly.  

                                                    i.     Isaiah 57:15, For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

                                                  ii.     Isaiah 66:2, For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
  

3. God will forgive, restore, and use you as He desires.  Heed the Spirit’s Reproving Fire!

Conclusion:

Let us seize occasions to pray with the Psalmist, “Search me, O God.” To in effect say to the Lord, “Here is my heart, Spirit of God, I need You to examine me.”

Psalm 139:23, Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Remember this truth: “The price of spiritual power is purity of heart.” Ask God to reveal anything that might hinder His flow of power in your life.

• Do I treasure deceptive and misleading goals, sinful-worldly pleasures, Christ-dishonoring habits, ugly pride, myself or my friends?
• Have I fully submitted to the authority of my Lord expressed in the Bible by refusing conformity to this world while choosing the transforming power of a spiritually renewed mind (Romans 12:1, 2)?

If you have not repented trusting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, then I urge you to do so immediately. Like me you are a sinner and like me you have offended God by the things you have said, thought, and done. There are matters you should have executed, but you failed to do so.... God calls all of this sin. In fact all human beings have sinned and come far short of God's requirements and expectations. You should also know we all are condemned before God because of our sin. The consequences of our moral failures is death in Hell for all eternity. Yes, sin is a serious offense against the Almighty, and we all have spent our lives sinning because it is our very nature to sin, rebel, and pursue our own ways.

The good news is that God is loving and merciful. He provided a way for us to be saved from the eternal punishment of our sin. Jesus, the Son of God, became a man to die for our sins in our stead. That is correct; he took the punishment that our sins deserved. He suffered and died at Calvary to pay for our sins. God fully accepted Christ's payment on our behalf. God also calls upon us to recognize our sinfulness and trust the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. That is Christ death, burial, and resurrection will count for us if we receive him by faith. God promises to forgive the sins of anyone and everyone who will believe on and receive Jesus Christ. Have you placed your trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins? I did a long time ago, and I can gladly recommend him to you. Trust Jesus to save you today.

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^[1] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Heb 12:29). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

^[2] The Holy Bible: King James Version. (2009). (Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version., Is 4:4). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.