The deepest levels of discipleship

One of the crucial steps in mining metal ores is purification by fire. The metal is heated well beyond its boiling point and impurities float to the surface of the molten metal where the miners are able to scrape them away, leaving the pure element that can then be used for a variety of useful purposes. This process is similar to the Baptism of Fire spoken of by Jesus, different than the Baptism of the Spirit and Baptism by Water. When we go through the Baptism of Fire, we are typically faced with trials where we truly “feel the heat”, well beyond our “boiling point”. These trials of life could be anything that affects us deeply enough to feel this way. Their role? To bring to the surface any minor impurities that may still be buried deep within, that typically we were even unaware of. Such things as deeply buried habits or tendencies or even mere attitudes that are less than perfect, because we are to be perfect even as our Father in heaven is perfect, so Jesus commanded us! This is a tall order, but one that the Lord Himself will meet. For it is indeed an honour to be called go through the Baptism of Fire – once we have been purified, it is for service – we will be ready to be used for a variety of useful purposes. This is what being a Christian is all about in its deepest levels of discipleship.