Gold Tried in the Fire.
By H. A. St. John
HE gold tried in the fire is the same faith and love that Jesus had when He came to this lost world to live man's example, and die man's sacrifice. It is the faith and love that Jesus took into the fire, with which He went thru the fire, and came out of the fire. Jesus wants to sell us this gold. "Buy of Me," He entreats. Jesus asks from us no good thing, only the things that make us wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. O, what a bargain is here offered us! to give the things that will sink us down to eternal ruin for the things that will lift us up to eternal glory. The opportunity to make this exchange will not always last. God offers now the final chance and choice. Be zealous, O, be zealous and repent, and thus give all to Christ, and receive all from Him. It is the possession of this gold tried in the fire that constitutes the highest and most indispensable qualification for a colporteur, a missionary, a doctor, a teacher, a preacher, or any one else in the Master's vineyard. O why do we halt and hesitate! Let us arise and break the fearful spell of lethargy and lukewarmness that has settled upon us. If we do thus arise, open the door of our hearts, and let Jesus come in, bringing with Him the true riches, we will truly and surely "arise and shine." For with the "gold tried in the fire" will come the beautiful garment of salvation, clean and white. Then will follow the anointing of the eyes with the eye-salve of the Holy Spirit. What wonderful discernment and insight into spiritual truth and all spiritual things that will give us! O how precious then will become the word of God and the messages of God to us! We will feed and feast upon them continually, and thus grow up into Jesus our living Head in all things.6It is the fearful delusion and lukewarmness that are holding us back from listening to the last earnest entreaty of our beloved Lord, the faithful and true Witness. With deep yearning of soul Jesus is saying to every lukewarm professor, "Why will you die? You will not come unto Me that you might have life." If we will only heed the counsel of Jesus, it will be but a short period of walking with Jesus in light here, followed by an eternity of walking with Him in white hereafter; a short period of sitting with Jesus here in heavenly places, and an eternity of sitting with Jesus on His throne hereafter; joyous cross-bearing for time, followed by glorious crown-wearing for eternity. Jesus, the great Head of the church, is now giving His last and final counsel to His remnant church on earth. The destiny of the church, and hence of each individual believer, hangs on His testimony. By many, thus far, this closing counsel is being entirely disregarded, and by a very large number only half heeded. But few, indeed, have really taken it to heart and been sanctified body, soul, and spirit by it. May the reader and the writer be among the sanctified ones who are thus made meet for the Master's use, and who will hear the "Well done," when Jesus comes.