The prophet Malachi painted a vivid image 


of what transpires when God's people come


 into contact with His transformational 


power by comparing His influence to a 


refiner's fire. 



This verse, along with others, teaches us


 that one of God's functions in our life is 


to purify us, just like a refiner refines 


valuable metals like gold or silver.


A metal, such as gold or silver, is melted down 


in a refiner's fire for the purpose of purifying. 


The dross in the metal rises to the top as it is 


melted down, where it is cleaned from the


 metal before it cools.

God used the prophet Malachi to explain


 how He purifies our hearts by using this


 comparison. God will remove our dross, 


our broken, sinful ways, much like a 


refiner's fire, making us emerge pure 


and righteous in His presence.



Instead of destroying the metal, a refiner's 


fire causes the internal debris to rise to 


the surface so that it may be removed. 


A refiner's fire improves and increases 


the value of the metal rather than 


consuming it. 

This analogy clarifies what God's redemptive


 effort could include and achieve in each of us.