Refiner’s Fire

Malachi 3-4; Psalms 148; Acts 5

“But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap…So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers…”

Malachi 3:2, 5

“When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened…Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events…Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number”

Acts 5:5, 11, 14

Jesus came to save, cleanse, heal and deliver. He came to teach, refine, and purity for himself a people that were his very own. When Ananias perjured himself and lied to the Holy Spirit (and to Peter), the Lord himself judged Ananias and struck him dead. Paul later said in his letter to the Corinthians that those who don’t “discern the body of Christ” drink judgment on themselves (1 Corinthians 11:29, 30), which is why some are sick and others have “fallen asleep”. The fear of the Lord is both the beginning of wisdom and the key to the sanctification of the Church. After the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira, the Jerusalem Church grew, both in numbers and in the fear of the Lord (to keep them from sinning).

What marks our growth?

“Lord Jesus, you are the refiner’s fire. I invite your cleansing of my life, for your glory.”