Gold: Faith and Love

"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 1:7 (NKJV)

Several Ellen G. White statements support the idea of gold representing love and faith. For example,

• "It requires the testing time to reveal the pure gold of love and faith in the character." {The Sanctified Life, p. 11.2}
• "Faith and love are the gold tried in the fire." {Desire of Ages, p. 280.3}
• "The gold tried in the fire is faith that works by love." {Christ Object Lessons, p. 158.2}

There is a greater-lesser relationship between faith and love—i.e. love is greater than faith. The Father first loved us (through Christ) and then we have faith.

• John 3:16 (ESV): "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
• 1 John 4:16 (ESV): "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."

This dual work of love and faith in our lives is required in order to be restored into God's image, a work done by the Holy Spirit:

• "A complete moral renovation must be wrought by the Holy Spirit. We must have the love of God, with living, abiding faith. This is the gold tried in the fire. We can obtain it only of Christ." {5T 105.2}

The Holy Spirit works by love and is symbolized by the oil in vessels (of the heart):

• "The oil is received into vessels prepared for the oil. It is the Holy Spirit in the heart which works by love and purifies the soul." {4BC 1179.6}

Thus, gold is a fitting representation of the Father. It is the Father who first loved us by sending His Son. It is the Father who first sent the promise of His Spirit through His Son at Pentecost. The Father's love leads to faith. Love and faith in the human heart leads to a changed life. This change can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit. This love and faith is tested and refined by fire.

Revelation 3:18 (ESV): "I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich"