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The Christian is compared to pre–
cious metals-gold or silver- which
have to be put into a fiery furnace in
order to burn away the dross and
impurities. Also, gold and silver must
become molten before they can be
poured into a mold. This is true with
the Christian. We must at least be
heated to red-hot in order to be
malleable enough to be easily bent
and shaped by the hands of our faith–
ful Creator (see l Pet. 1:7; 4: 12; I
Cor. 3:12-15).
The Bible compares the saints to
precious jewels or precious stones
(Mal. 3: 17). Again, it is interesting
to note that diamonds, rubíes and
other precious jewels can only be
made under terrific heat and pres–
sure!
So it is with us. We must be sub–
jected to the tremendous heat of our
fiery trials and to the constant pres–
sure of tempta tion, persecution
and tribulation in order to become
a precious jewel in the sight of
God!
God even compares His people to
common clay in the hands of the
Master Potter: "But now, O Lord,
thou art our father; we are the clay,
and thou our potter; and we all are
the work of thy hand" (lsa. 64:8).
When
in
Egypt
1
was privileged to
see a potter at work. The potter must
first make sure the right amount of
water is mixed with the clay so it will
be pliable. God reveals that the Holy
Spirit is the living water (John
7:37 , 38) which will enable our
adamant minds and hearts to volun–
tarily yield to God so He can mold
and fashion us into the spir itual
shape, image or character of His Son
Jesus Christ.
By using a very simple potter's
wheel an experienced potter is able to
quickly and expertly make beautiful
pieces of pottery- cups, pla tes,
bowls, vases, waterpots and jars of
every description.
But, after the potter molds the clay
into the desired shape, he must then
bake ,the pottery in a fiery furnace.
It
is in the fiery furnace that the clay
takes the permanent shape into
which the potter has molded it. So it
is with the Christian. ls it not in the
furnace of affiiction that God Al–
mighty sets (or fixes) us in the partic-
The
PLAIN TRUTH June·July 1979
CAN EVERYONE BE
ASUCCESS?
Picture yourself five years from now, doing just what you 'd like
todo with your lite. Now take a pen and paper, and write out
what it is you'd like to accomplish or become. Congratulations!
With this little exercise, you have just discovered one of the most
important "secrets" for success- that of setting goals! Real
success is not based on luck, on intimidation, or on " fooling
most of the people most of the time. "
Actually, the secrets of success can be
summarized in seven basic principies that
anyone can apply. The free booklet
The
Seven Laws of Success
explains these
vital keys and shows how you can imme–
diately put them into practice. Use the
literature request card in this issue to re–
ceive your free copy.
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SUCCESS
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