For every one shall be salted by fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt (Mark 9:49).
God tests us by testing our hearts (Proverbs 17:3). He tests us by affliction, "I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction" (Isaiah 48:10). It was prophesied of Jesus's coming that "He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross...refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices" (Malachi 3:3).
God tests us by testing our hearts (Proverbs 17:3). He tests us by affliction, "I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction" (Isaiah 48:10). It was prophesied of Jesus's coming that "He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross...refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices" (Malachi 3:3).
He wants acceptable sacrifices and He wants us to be pure, "I will turn my hand on you; I will thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities" (Isaiah 1:25). God wants to remove the impurities from us so that we become a vessel for his use, "take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer" (Proverbs 25:4).
Paul writes of the sufferings encountered in Asia; it was beyond measure, above strength, even despairing of life, but it happened that we should not trust in ourselves but in God, who delivered, delivers, and will continue delivering (2 Corinthians 1:8-10).
The purpose is for us to be salt to the earth, to lead others to him, "the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble" (3 Cor. 1:3-6). How can we comfort if we understand not? We learn to trust and be comforted by God in affliction, suffering abounds consolation in Christ. If we are afflicted, it is for others consolation and salvation.
"Test me, Yahweh, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;" (Psalm 26:2).
Michael W. Smith - Agnus Dei
Jesus speaks of his followers as being salt of the earth, but why salt? Salt gives seasoning, "taste and see that God is good, blessed is the man that trusts in him" (Psalm 34:8). Ideally salt never looses it savor but if it is savorless what has it become? You will be seasoning if you have salt in yourselves and peace with one another (Mark 9:50). As believers we are salted by fire and by sacrifice.
"Test me, Yahweh, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;" (Psalm 26:2).