For our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29 (NKJV
Fire tests and reveals the true nature of a thing. 1 Peter 1:7
Precious metals like silver and gold are tested in fire. The testing here is not to find fault or disprove but to separate what’s genuine or pure from the impure. Thus, the genuineness or purity of these metals is revealed or made plain and hence proven or confirmed by fire.
This is exactly how God is. Connecting with him, knowing him, getting acquainted with him, fellowshipping with him, walking with him is like experiencing the testing in the fire. His love for us, His presence by His Spirit in us, His Word are all geared or meant not to find fault with or disprove us but to separate from us those elements that are not a genuine part of our original design in Him and thus reveal our true identity established in him through Jesus Christ. For example God is love and we being his offspring are therefore love also. There’s no fear in love. So, when fear attempts to lodge in our minds and hearts, the all-consuming fire God who is love in us sets us ablaze with this fire of the knowledge of his love for us. So, the fear flees or is burned up because perfect love casts out all fear. 1 John 4:18.
The fire of knowledge is the Word of God which is fire according to Jeremiah 20:9; 23:29.
God’s presence and working in our life reveals the true nature of everything we do. Whether in family, relationships, ministry, friendships, business, charitable work, personal ambitions, the motive and purpose why we do what we do is what matters most. It is the genuineness or purity of the silver or gold to be sought.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 But if anyone builds upon the Foundation, whether it be with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, The work of each [one] will become [plainly, openly] known (shown for what it is); for the day [of Christ] will disclose and declare it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test and critically appraise the character and worth of the work each person has done. If the work which any person has built on this Foundation [any product of his efforts whatever] survives [this test], he will get his reward. But if any person’s work is burned up [under the test], he will suffer the loss [of it all, losing his reward], though he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has passed] through fire.
Our lifestyle and every endeavor we engage in is called our work in this body and it is likened to building. Whatever we are doing in this life we are building something. It’s true nature and that’s the real hidden purpose for which we are doing it, only the Lord will reveal it by fire. If what we did in this life was to glorify God it will pass through the fire of God and remain. Then we will get a reward. But if the motive for whatever we did in this life was merely for self-gratification when it passes through the fire test of the Lord, it will all be burnt up and so there will be no reward.