Faith Born of Fire

by Marvin Bublitz

Thirty-seven years ago, my wife and I spent our honeymoon in the Calgary, Banff, and Jasper area. From the Stampede to Lake Louise to the Columbia Icefields, I have many memories from that trip, including a boat trip.

Our guide pointed out the different trees on the shore. She explained that, many years earlier, there had been a forest fire. After a fire, certain types of trees are the first to grow back. Consider the lodgepole pine; their cones need intense heat to open. Only then do the seeds emerge and new growth begins. They also require ample sunlight to grow—something which only happens when a fire reduces the canopy, allowing life-nourishing light through.

After many years of ministry, I have seen this all firsthand—not in trees but in the people of God. Trials come upon the God’s people and out of the heat comes new growth. St. Paul reminds us how, though the trials of this life, the Lord works to create endurance, character, and hope: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:1-6).

St. Peter explains how the Lord uses the heat of these trials to refine our faith: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:3-9).

In these texts, we see that our Lord’s focus is the salvation of His people. He uses the trials of this life to purify faith.

In these texts, we see that our Lord’s focus is the salvation of His people. He uses the trials of this life to purify faith. Through the heat of tribulation, He cracks our hard, sin-filled shell, that new growth may occur by the power of His Spirit. In the forest when the canopy is burned away, that which hid the sunlight and hindered growth is removed. Likewise, trials refocus our viewpoint upwards so the Son’s light can shine upon us.

When you undergo trials, remember what God has spoken: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us… And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified” (Romans 8:18, 28-30).

He who in love died and rose again to save you is faithful, and He will keep you through the heat of this life. In Christ, you will escape the heat of eternal condemnation and rejoice in the Light filled glory of His heaven.

Jesus, grant that balm and healing In Your holy wounds I find, Ev’ry hour that I am feeling Pains of body and of mind. Should some evil thought within Tempt my treach’rous heart to sin, Show the peril, and from sinning

Keep me from its first beginning.

Ev’ry wound that pains or grieves me By Your wounds, Lord, is made whole; When I’m faint, Your cross revives me,  Granting new life to my soul. Yes, Your comfort renders sweet Ev’ry bitter cup I meet;  For Your all-atoning passion Has procured my soul’s salvation.

– LSB 421:1, 4 –

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Rev. Marvin Bublitz is Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC)’s East Regional Pastor.

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