“Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another.” (Isaiah 48:10-11 NKJV)
Here are some truths I believe about the Christian life: God wants you in his family and God wants to make you better. Once we become a part of God’s family by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, he begins the life long process of completing the “good work” he has begun in us (Philippians 1:6). Why would God do this? First, because he loves us. Secondly, because we carry his name.
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7 NKJV)
The word “take” in this scripture from the Ten Commandments literally means to pick up and carry. Think of it like a bride who takes on the last name of her husband. God says, don’t take my name upon your life carelessly or without sincerity. It’s for this same reason God says he will refine his people for the sake of his name.
For his own name’s sake, God will allow us to endure affliction in an effort to make us worthy of his name. Just as raw silver ore is heated to cause impurities to be exposed and discarded, God will heat up our lives to expose and remove our impurities to make us into beautiful people who are worthy of his glory. This way, our lives will reflect his goodness to the world, instead of having those who see us speak poorly of God due to our short comings.