Rejected Silver

Rejected Silver

“The bellows blow fiercely, the lead is consumed by the fire; the smelter refines in vain, for the wicked are not drawn off. People will call them rejected silver, because the Lord has rejected them.” Jer. 6:29-30.

We should not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try us. Every one of us has his crucible. We will become rejected silver if we are stubborn and the dross is not separated. We have a time of grace during which we have opportunity to cleanse ourselves in obedience to the truth. Israel did not make use of this time. They became rejected silver and had to die in the wilderness.

In like manner, we can say that the gatherings of the church are a crucible. If those whom God has appointed in the church as His servants do not have the strength by their preaching to separate those who are evil and that which is evil, the church can become like rejected silver. They hear and learn but never come to an acknowledgment of the truth. 2 Tim. 3:7-8.

“Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to Me; they are all bronze, tin, iron, and lead in the midst of a furnace; they have become dross from silver.” “As men gather silver, bronze, iron, lead, and tin into the midst of a furnace, to blow fire on it, to melt it; so I will gather you in My anger and in My fury, and I will leave you there and melt you. Yes, I will gather you and blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and you shall be melted in its midst.” Read Ezekiel 22:18-22.

The five foolish virgins had become dross—rejected silver. They had to remain behind after the wise virgins, who had purified themselves, went in to the wedding. Then the foolish virgins, together with the ungodly, were gathered in the oven where God blows on them with the fire of His wrath.

“For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” Eph. 5:5-6.

Today, many people are being deceived with empty words. They say that the work of Calvary holds, by which they mean that Jesus’ blood will cover their sin. They do not believe in victory or that it is possible to separate the dross so that the silver can be pure and the smith can make a vessel of honor out of it.

You can often hear this being said: “There is no difference in life between us and the unbelievers; they are condemned because they do not believe in Jesus and the work of Calvary.” We truly need Paul’s exhortation: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.” Eph. 5:6-7. No one should imagine that it will go any better with them than with unbelievers if they continue to live the same life as they. Not at all! God will gather them in the same oven and blow on them with the fire of His wrath.

Pursue sanctification, for without sanctification no one will see the Lord. Heb. 12:14.