Purified, White, & Tried

One of the more practical truths in the midst of some very difficult prophetical truths, is that the “wicked shall do wickedly.” Why should we expect anything else from the wicked?

God expects more out of the righteous than out of the wicked, because a righteous man is one who was “turned to righteousness” (verse 3) from his wickedness.

These that have repented and turned to righteousness have been “purified, and made white” by the blood of Jesus Christ and have been clothed in the fine white linen of righteousness, wisdom, sanctification, and redemption in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30).

As such, God expects more out of the righteous because the wicked will continue to do wickedness. That’s their nature. That’s all they can do until salvation. But the righteous can choose to do good or evil. Hence, God added the word “tried” after being “purified and made white”.

Our trials are God’s method of keeping us pure in our attitude, our motives, our behavior, our works, and our character. Trials are God’s method of establishing, building up, and increasing our personal faith and trust in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:7).

Trials are God’s method of instilling in us patience, increasing our hope, and improving upon our hearts to love. Trials will manifest either the spirit of our flesh (wickedness) or the spirit of the Holy Spirit (righteousness).

May God help us, like he’s helped millions before us, to face and overcome being “tried” in a “furnace of affliction” (Isaiah 48:10) that we might bring forth gold for the glory of God!