“But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver” (Malachi 3:2-3).

Back in the day, the refiner’s job was to burn away the impurities found in silver and gold. The refiner would take the ore or the silver and gold and burn it in the fire. The fire would burn away the impurities. The refining process was complete when the refiner was able to see his face reflecting back at him.

God’s word is like the refiner’s fire. God uses his word to burn away all impurities. When we are refined by God’s word, God’s holiness, God’s truth, we too will reflect God’s character in our lives.

Because we are repeat sinners, before God’s word builds up and encourages the saints, God’s word corrects and rebukes us. That’s what the burning and refining process is. It starts with confession and repentance. And as the refiner continues his work of burning away our impurities, will God’s word move to build up and shape his children.

So, Christian, do you find yourself daily confessing and repenting? If we do not start there, the Christian life goes nowhere.

“For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly” (Proverbs 5:23).

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent” (Revelation 3:19).

“Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord , the one you teach from your law” (Psalm 94:12).

“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise” (Proverbs 19:20).

“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?” (Hebrews 12:7).

Have you guessed what the theme of today’s Verse of the Day is yet?

Not going to say much other than encouraging you to read and meditate on the verses above. Let me close with something I read online recently. I don’t know who wrote it, but it resonates with me.

Everyone must choose one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret.

Choose your pain.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27).

Christians prioritize worship. That Christians worship and prioritize worship on the Sabbath day is normal.

Christians serve, give, and tithe. Christians do these things because Jesus told his followers to do so. Serving, giving, tithing is normal for Christians.

Christians obey and submit to God’s word. Christians submit to God’s word and God’s authority because God is God and we are not. Obedience and submission is normal for Christians.

Christians stand for truth with grace even when the culture around them denies those truths. Christians stand for Biblical truth because that’s what their Lord and Savior proclaims. That Christians are different than the people who do not know God is normal.

Christians go through hardship and suffering with grace. It doesn’t mean Christians don’t feel pain or loss. It just means that Christians trust that God knows best, that God wants what is best for them, so they trust God in hardship and suffering.

These are things that the average Christians do because these are things God calls Christians to do.

If these things sound radical it is because the modern church has become so accustomed to nominal Christianity that doing what is normal as a Christian seems radical.

If Jesus said it, Christians do it. That’s normal.