From Rough Stones to Refined Jewels

What is a GEM? According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a gem is defined as a “jewel”; a precious or sometimes semi-precious or valuable stone that has been cut and polished for ornament; or “something prized especially for great beauty or perfection” or a highly prized or well-beloved person. In doing my research on the mining process for precious gemstones, particularly diamonds, I found it to be quite interesting. A diamond is the hardest natural substance known to man. The word diamond is a derivative of the Greek word, “adamas” which means unconquerable or invincible. Diamonds are buried at least 100 miles underground. Therefore, in order to excavate the diamonds from the earth, miners must blast the area where they perceive diamonds to be. Once the blasting process is over, it is then that the diamonds can be seen pulled from the miry clay. To the untrained eye, the diamond in its natural state does not look like diamonds as we see them in stores. In their natural state, they are covered with mud, sand, gravel and other impurities. Once diamonds have been discovered and extracted from the earth, they must go through a rigorous process before revealing their pure natural brilliance, sparkle. Until that process is completed, it is essentially a “diamond in the rough.” There are 4 C’s that determines the value of a diamond; cut, clarity, carat and color. The steps involved in revealing the brilliance of a diamond include, washing, cutting and polishing. The diamond has to be washed before it moves along. Remember, it came from within the earth, therefore it must be washed and cleansed of the mud, sand, gravel and all other impurities. The cutting process is lengthy and requires a lot of effort to cut the different facets of the diamond so that its shine and sparkle can be revealed. This process requires the skills of an expert, a Master Cutter, so not to cut this precious gem inaccurately. If the diamond happens to be tapped in the wrong spot, it will shatter. The pieces are still diamonds but no longer have value as gems. The Master Cutter knows how much grinding a diamond needs in order to get the most brilliance from it. The next step is the polishing phase is very long and very tedious. It is through this process that the sharp edges and its surface are smoothed down in order to get to its true value, its brilliant sparkle and its real beauty. By now, I’m sure you are wondering why I am focusing on the process that a diamond goes through. There is so much more involved in this process that we could go on all day! However, I want to stop here and focus on the similarities of a precious jewel and those of God’s jewel. As one of God’s jewels, we as Christians go through a rigorous process very much like a diamond. As any diamond in the rough that takes a lot of time and work and love, we have been specifically selected, because—God has made us of "gem-quality material." “If you think the person you are right now, will get you to become a diamond, you are mistaken!” The transformation of being refined into the precious gems as God sees us, takes much work. It will not happen overnight. In fact it will take the most of our lifetime. Let me just say this, “you are going to go through some stuff . Why, is that, you ask? Because the Word of God tells us so! In (II Timothy 3:12) Paul writes to Timothy, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” It will be painful, agonizing at times, will seem hopeless at times, helpless at times. Sometimes there will be extreme pressure and extreme heat and it will be a very slow and painful process. We wonder how we should find joy when we are experiencing turmoil in our lives. We just have to remember that God loves us so much and He sees us as precious jewels! “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scouregeth every son whom he receiveth,”(Heb12:6.) “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening — it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” (Hebrews 12:11). Just like diamonds, there are 4 C’s to a spiritual diamond: Conviction, Commitment, Courage and Character. All are equally important as they build upon each other. Conviction. The degree to which one knows and believes the Word of God. Being sure of what you believe! There is no room for doubt. We must believe! Hebrews 11:6 says “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” You all remember back in the book of Genesis Ch 39 the story of Joseph and the Potiphar’s wife? Joseph was fine and she wanted him ya’ll! But Joseph understood the real meaning of conviction and knew what was right from wrong. And what she was asking him to do was evil and wrong. The good thing is when we are being tempted, there is always a way out. Joseph was like, “Deuces” as he immediately left her! Commitment. The degree to which one consistently acts on that knowledge and belief. It’s making a firm decision way in advance of the circumstances you will be faced with. If you truly believe what God’s word says, then when trouble comes, you are committed to holding fast to God’s unchangeable hand. In other words, you are binding yourself to a certain course of action based upon the truth of your conviction! Hallelujah! Did you all hear what I just said? Let me say that one more time. Your commitment means you are bound to a certain course of action based upon the truth of your conviction! We have to take a stand. Stand firm! If we are not solid with our conviction (faith) then we are open to be compromised in our commitment meaning we can go left and right because we are not sure! Conviction and Commitment go hand in hand! Courage. The degree to which one is able to persevere in the time of trouble. To have the courage to withstand the storms of life, we must be solid in our conviction, and committed to standing on the Word of God. When we are facing those raging storms of life, it will take all of our strength and boldness to stand by our commitment. But we are so worried about losing our status in society, losing our wordly titles, and even worried about losing our jobs so we compromise our commitment making us weak. Character. The degree to which one is conformed to the image of God’s perfect Son, Jesus Christ. God is building character in all of us as He refines us into precious jewels! If you look at these qualities as levels of a pyramid, we would see conviction as the base (our foundation)! Followed by commitment and courage. At the very top is our character! It is our character that will take us into eternity! This is why God calls us His jewels therefore Malachi 3:17 says “They shall be Mine, says the Lord of Hosts, On the day that I make them my jewels…” When we are suffering and going through the fire of trials and tribulations, God is grinding us during those times. God is working on our character. The beauty of enduring during those troubling times is God’s Grace! God is our Master Gemologist. “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5: 3-4. In order for God to remove all impurities in us, He has to put us in the middle of the fire—so to speak—where the flames are hottest. Peter talks of our loving God who has begotten us again "to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you... In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter:1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,, 6-7). Remember, God is making His precious treasure, and that is what it takes to be refined! God will not leave us in the fire to long. Paul writes: "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians:10:13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.). He doesn't rejoice in our sufferings. He would rather avoid them. But He knows that they are necessary. We as daughters of the King should have one common goal and that goal is to become a spiritual diamond. We MUST have Unshakeable conviction, Unwavering commitment, Unflinching courage, and Christlike character. GEMS are God’s DIVINE CREATION "A precious jewel is the production of God and only God. Diamonds can withstand extreme heat, extreme pressure and are the hardest known substance to man. A better way to see the value God sees in each of us, just as we see a diamond that has just been pulled from the miry clay, every person is truly a diamond, being the toughest substance in existence. Regardless of our behavior and outward appearance, God can see our soul underneath all the rubble and it remains intact. Just like a diamond, we therefore are Unconquerable as the word diamond is Greek word, Adamas meaning invincible and unconquerable. GEMS are Beautiful To His disciples the Lord Jesus said, "You are the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14), and why are they so? Because He could say "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16): "so shine" that Christ gets all the glory; "so shine" that we make it clear and plain to all that whatever goodness or righteousness there is in us, and whatever fruits are produced by us, all is from Christ as the Root. VARIETY of God’s Gems Precious stones vary considerably both in color and in size, kind and value, brilliance and worth. If order is Heaven's first law, variety is certainly its second, for there is no uniformity in the ways and works of God, though there is a blessed underlying unity. So gems, all are valuable, but all are not the same. There is the clear diamond, the red ruby, the green emerald, the blue sapphire, the violet amethyst and so, on. So it is among the saints. All are God's children, all bear the marks of the Divine "workmanship" (Eph. 2:10), all are equally precious to Christ, but all are not alike. HISTORY of God’s GEMS Precious jewels come from humble beginnings as they are discovered in the mud and mire of earth. Diamonds have been buried in the earth under rocks, sand, and mud, etc. for centuries "Look unto the rock whence you are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence you are dug" (Isaiah 51:1). O the lowly origin of the Christian: "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock" (Psalm 40:2). God’s DESTINY for GEMS "You will be a glorious crown in the Lord’s hand, and a royal diadem in the palm of your God" (Isaiah 62:3). Wondrous is it to think of rough stones, which first look like small pebbles, being found in the mud and mire of earth; then cut and polished until they scintillate with a brilliancy surpassing any earthly object, and being given an honored place in the diadem of a monarch. But infinitely more wonderful is it that poor lost sinners, saved by sovereign grace, should be among the crown-jewels of the Son of God. But He will yet "present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24). Then shall He say to the Father, "The glory which You gave Me I have given them" (John 17:22). "And they shall be Mine, says the Lord Almighty, in that day when I make up My jewels" (Mal. 3:17). What is meant by "When I make up My jewels"? Is it not when the complete number of His redeemed are regenerated and polished? Is it not when He shall descend from Heaven with a shout, resurrect the sleeping saints and transform the living ones and rapture them together, so that we shall "ever be with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:16, 17): "make up" (Mal. 3:17), "caught up" (1 Thess. 4:17)! God is working in each of us to create in us a unique gem. And for God—the Master Gemologist—to smooth the rough edges and polish us and cut the different facets of His character, it is vital that we feel like gems in His expert hands. Are you willing to allow God to work on you? Are you strong enough to endure the pain and suffering and count it all joy? Are you willing to allow the Word of God to convict you? Are you willing to be committed to a GEMS lifestyle? If you are, please stand with me and take rock in your hand and look at yourself. Do you like what you see? Can you see the diamond underneath all of your stuff? Can you see the image of Christ as you look as this hard shell? Is that you? What are you willing to do about it? Will you surrender yourself today? God bless you all!