Articles
Between Disillusionment And Denial
Between Disillusionment And Denial
Gary Henry
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
ON EITHER SIDE OF REAL FAITH THERE ARE DANGEROUS EXTREMES.
On the one hand, there is the foolish idealism which pretends that the Christian life is problem-free. Those who have been led into this way of thinking can only stay there by refusing to deal with life's unpleasant realities. They tend to be superficial, and often self-righteous, toward those who admit to struggling with sin in their lives. But on the other hand, there is the unfortunate cynicism that spreads bitterness in the name of honesty. Those with this outlook tend to be fatalistic, and often condescending toward those they deem to be less honest about life.
It is possible, however, to have a balanced faith that is both realistic and hopeful. Peter spoke of such a possibility when he said, "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:13). Given the death-dealing realities that surround us, it is hazardous to have anything less than a sober mind, a mind which is girded for clear thinking and decisive action. But although the difficulties are real, they are not the TOTALITY of what is real. Let us not lose our bearings.
A day draws near when the entire sum of all that has ever opposed God will be seen to have been a reality far less "weighty" than even the least part of His glory (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). If this is our confidence, the quandaries of this broken life will still break our hearts, but we can meet them with a mind refreshed and firmly fixed on "the grace that is to be brought to [us] at the revelation of Jesus Christ." There is no need to deny our pain. But neither need we deny that the problem of pain was dealt with at the Cross. A King died there "that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Hebrews 2:14-15).
"Very few older men face their lives realistically and still cling passionately to Christ. Most are either realistic and disillusioned or believing and defensive. Because [my father] is both honest about life and rich in faith, I listen when he speaks" (Larry Crabb).
THE REFINER'S FIRE
There was a group of women in a Bible study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three, which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out about the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible study.
That week this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest in silver beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. 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 he sits as a refiner and purifier of silver. 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 "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 were left even 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."
If today you are feeling the heat of this world's fire, just remember that God has His eyes on you.
Malachi 3:2-3 “But who may abide the day of his coming? who shall stand when he appeareth? he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: 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.”
