The Test of Fire
The Bible tells the story of the Patriarch Abraham and how his obedience to God was tested. The Almighty told him, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I shall tell you” (Genesis 22:2). Later, when the altar of sacrifice was prepared and Abraham took the knife to slay his son, an angel of the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I." He said, "Do not lay your hand on the lad or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me” (Genesis 22:10-12).

What an awesome story of total obedience! What trust Abraham possessed! How many of us would be willing to obey such a command to sacrifice of your only son? His son, Isaac served as a prototype of the person of Jesus Christ, God's only-begotten Son, Who was to be later sacrificed for our sins.

The sacrifices that we choose to make in life are a reflection of our inner character. The ultimate sacrifice of laying down your life for another, Jesus calls the “greatest love.” (John 15:13) Saints of all ages, such as Saint Maria Skobtsova and Saint Maximilian Kolbe in modern times, laid down their lives for total strangers. During World War II, in an act of total obedience to Christ, these spiritual heroes offered themselves as "living sacrifices" on the altar of God. They became totally consumed with the love for Christ and their fellow man.

The blood of the martyrs sowed the seeds for the spreading of the Gospel throughout the world. These acts of total selflessness were made for the benefit of others. They were not done to be seen for an earthly reward but one in the age to come. We too have been called to a life of martyrdom for the sake of the Kingdom.

An integral part of the marriage ceremony in the Eastern-Byzantine Church is the placing of wedding wreaths or crowns on the heads of the bride and groom. During the rite, the following Troparion is sung: "O holy martyrs, who fought the good fight and have received your crowns; entreat the Lord that He will have mercy on our souls." This is to remind them that they too, like the martyrs, have been called to a sacrificial life as "living witnesses" for Jesus in the service of others. The same hymn is sung during ordinations to the priesthood.

Those who serve the Lord in ministry are also prone to attack by the devil. It is through their hands that grace flows to forgive sin; that God's people are fed with Christ’s Body and Blood; that individuals are initiated into the kingdom through Baptism and sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit through Chrismation; that a man and woman who express their love for each other are united in marriage and the sick receive inner and physical healing through holy unction. They preach the Word to guide all souls into the safe harbor of the Church. So, it should not be of any surprise that all this comes with a price.

Those who desire to serve God, go through the ongoing process of hearing His call, discerning His will and going through trial. They may not fully understand God’s will, but have a strong desire to do what is pleasing in His sight. Jesus, the son of Sirach of Jerusalem wrote these profound proverbs found in the Orthodox and Catholic versions of the Old Testament: “My son, if you come forward to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for temptation. Set your heart right and be steadfast, and do not be hasty in time of calamity. Cleave to him and do not depart, that you may be honored at the end of your life. Accept whatever is brought upon you, and in changes that humble you be patient. For gold is tested in the fire, and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation. Trust in him, and he will help you; make your ways straight, and hope in him. (Sirach 2:1-6).

Regardless of one's vocation in life, all people must pass through the test of fire. That fire may not be a physical one, but may be in the form of criticism received from family, friends, the press, society, or the church itself. It may be the abandonment by friends, relatives, and co-workers, a financial collapse, the experience of unexpected sickness or the loss of a loved one.

It is interesting to note that gold is mentioned in the scripture as being tried by fire. In a furnace, this precious metal becomes stronger and its impurities are cleansed. The soul too is cleansed from its infirmities by the test of fire. It becomes more beautiful. Its brightness reflects the rays of divine Light. "Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see" (Revelation 3:18).

The saints can be described as "gold tried by fire, rich and clothed in white." The three youths in the fiery furnace, Ananiah, Azariah and Mishael, stood in the flames as in refreshing dew; this proved the genuineness of their faith. They did not fear the Master's molding and firing process because "the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be an affliction, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble." (Wisdom 3:1-3)

God is not finished with us; we are a work in progress. He knows how the finished product will turn out, but it is up to us to co-operate with Him through the test of fire. God’s purpose for your life is to be His masterpiece ready to sparkle and shine for His glory.

©2005 - Raymond J. Mastroberte
12/16/05