Malachi 3:2-3 describes Jesus as a "Refiner's Fire" and his ministry would be to refine his people and make them pure in heart. Ephesians 5:27 tells us the outcome: Jesus "will present her (the church) to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish." Jesus achieves his goal by using the circumstances and the people in our lives to reveal and refine our heart attitudes. God is on a mission to make us like Christ.

In Psalm 66:10 we read an example: "For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver". Verses 11 and 12 details how God refined them, "You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water." This is a poetic description of multiple difficulties and gives us a vivid picture of hardship and pain. However, the end result is: "you brought us to a place of abundance." God wants to bring us to a place of abundance. John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came that we might have abundant life. To experience this, we submit to God's refining work in our lives. David was prepared to do this and prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me" (Psalm 139:24).

The blessing of God comes to those who are prepared to deal with their inner attitudes and motives and become pure in heart.

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Jesus poured out His blood for the New Covenant of grace and truth, replacing the Old Covenant letter of the law of Moses. Believers are exclusively under the New Covenant, the last will and testament of Jesus that began after the cross.