This may seem like a puzzling title for a message, but the meaning will become clear very soon. Our title verse gives the first hint. Life is uncertain and filled with problems of all sorts.
1 Peter 1:6-7, You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials so that the proven character of your faith -more valuable than gold, which though perishable is refined by fire-may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Almighty God created everything including the universe for Himself, including man. The universe as a whole is constantly changing through all sorts of upheaval people. All of these changes, some of which are catastrophic, are basically adjustments to creation, that became necessary when man sinned.
Man was created perfect but lost that perfection because of sin. Man went against his creator and did things that caused a wider gap between the Creator and the created.
God didn't want to give up on man, so God tried to get man back on track by subtle means. Finally, God thought it would be better to start over. He sent a worldwide flood to destroy everyone except the one person and his family that trusted God and lived according to his will.
After the flood, it didn't take man long to get back to his sinful ways. Then God sent prophets to teach everyone in the way that they should go. The prophets told people what God said, but the people didn't want to hear it. so, they killed the prophets.
Since man was so evil, he had no way to earn forgiveness even if he wanted to. At that point God sent His Son, Jesus to teach everyone who would listen, and died to provide forgiveness. They killed Jesus too.
The Apostles of Jesus wrote all about what Jesus taught. The New Testament was inspired by the Holy Spirit and was passed on to believers. It was in fact like an instruction book and a map to get to Heaven for those who accepted Jesus as Savior.
Job 23:19, Yet he knows the way I have taken, when he has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.
In today's world, man is just as bad or worse. Words are no longer worth anything. God judges by what is in the heart. Life is a series of tests and trials that seem to come at the worst possible time in our opinion. We are tested all through life, the way gold is refined many times to achieve maximum purity.
We can choose Jesus and be refined or reject Him and be condemned for all eternity. By the way, we are tested more, because we have a free will, and God wants the real thing. God bless you and your family. Praise The Lord!
Remember Jesus loves you.
Prayer of Salvation.
Lord Jesus, please forgive all of my sins, and come into my heart as my personal savior. I want to serve only you.
Praise The Lord!
Amen
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