The Refining Fire

God’s gracious love can be found in the midst of hardships and suffering. The person whose mind is fixed on God takes life’s trials and challenges as a means to purify his or her faith, correct flaws and refine character. Could it be that such trials are not accidental, but actually expressions of God’s love to discipline and educate His children? (See also Chapter 15: Testing.)

Moreover, God’s word presents us with the challenge to live by it. Scripture therefore likens the word of God to a fire, which burns away everything that is false. Father Moon explains that the judgment that many Christians fear is actually an opportunity to purify ourselves in the truth and reach the point where we are one hundred percent united with the word of Christ. Thus, the purpose of judgment is to save, not to condemn.