For mine superintendent Frederick Wells, Jan. 26, 1905, ended up to be a day like no other!

The day had started like any other day of work at the mine. But when a portion of the tunnel wall crumbled, revealing a glasslike shape unlike any he had mined before, his heart started pounding. He just couldn't believe his eyes. Thomas Cullinan, his boss, would forever be grateful to him for the fame to befall him that day.

Thomas Cullinan owned the Premier Diamond Mining Company of Gauteng, in South Africa. And Frederick Wells had just unearthed a diamond weighing more than 3,100 carats, that is, more than a pound or half a kilogram. It is the largest gem diamond ever found.

(Note: A carbonado weighing 3,600 carats was found in Brazil, but it was not made of gem-quality material.)

The stone was bought by the Transvaal government and presented to British King Edward VII. It was cut into three large parts by the Asscher brothers of Amsterdam, and eventually into 11 large gem-quality stones, 96 smaller brilliants and 9.5 carats of unpolished pieces.

Cutting the diamond was considered difficult and risky. Reports say the brothers studied the diamond for three months before deciding where to make the first cut. In order to enable Joseph Asscher to cut the diamond in one blow, an incision was made, half an inch deep. Then, a specially designed cleaving blade was placed in the incision. Some say the first blade broke! But eventually the diamond was split in one heavy blow. The stone split through a defective spot as planned.

The Cullinan I—also called the Great Star of Africa—was the largest gem produced from the rough stone. It is a pear-shaped stone of a little over 530 carats, and it is the world's largest cut diamond. It is now in the head of the royal scepter in the British crown jewels.

The second largest cut diamond, the Cullinan II—the Lesser Star of Africa—is a cushion-shaped stone just a little over 317 carats and is set in the British imperial state crown.

In this physical world of ours, when one talks of jewels, he or she refers to some very precious, beautiful, rare and expensive stones, metals or pearls. It seems God has placed in us an innate desire to adorn ourselves or surround ourselves with the precious bounty of the earth in terms of splendid pearls, crystals, gems and metals of all kinds.

Spiritual Treasure

And splendor there is! The Bible speaks of treasures, of precious stones and of an incredibly beautiful jewel—the new capital of the world, the New Jerusalem to come down from heaven. And it speaks of other jewels as well, so precious and expensive that no amount of money could ever buy them, because they are spiritual in nature. They are more precious than the most valuable bounty of the earth.

The prophet Malachi wrote of such a spiritual treasure:

"Then those who feared the L ord spoke to one another, and the L ord listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the L ord and who meditate on His name. ‘They shall be mine,' says the L ord of hosts, ‘On the day that I make them My jewels'" (Malachi 3:16-17 Malachi 3:16-17 [16] Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD listened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought on his name. [17] And they shall be mine, said the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spares his own son that serves him.
American King James Version×).

If we check that passage in a number of versions, it is expressed in a variety of ways, perhaps indicating that the translators had a hard time believing what God is actually saying here. From reading different versions, we discover that God is speaking here of making His "jewels" or His "special treasure."

We usually do not think of ourselves as jewels. Yet that is precisely what God thinks of us! We are His jewels in the making—we are His special treasure. And I would venture to say that, in God's eyes, we are far more precious than the Great Star of Africa—the Cullinan I! Gems like these run in the multiple millions of dollars. Priceless. Uninsurable. But how about us? In God's eyes, we are infinitely more precious.

Incredible Potential

How do we see ourselves? It is true that God does not want us to have a high opinion of ourselves. We are to be clothed with humility. But we also need to understand how important our life is to God—the incredible human potential.

The Bible reveals that God is making His jewels, and you are one of them! To grasp that concept is of the highest importance. Having that in mind as we go through life—especially trials—is paramount!

We are often asked to pray for one another in our trials. And indeed we need to. But we need, as well, to remember that taking a rough diamond and working with it, grinding it, polishing it with different abrasives, giving it its final brilliance and luster, with its many facets, takes time and a lot of grinding!

As any diamond in the rough that takes a lot of time and work and love, we have been specifically selected, because—like the Cullinan I—God has made us of "gem-quality material."

Facets of Character

Once a "gem in the rough" is discovered, it takes the "gem masters" a considerable time and lots of efforts to cut the different facets. There are many facets to true Christianity. And 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. We have to allow Him to work in us.

"We also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Romans 5:3-4 Romans 5:3-4 [3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; [4] And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
American King James Version×).

As the writer of Hebrews expressed it, "Let us run with endurance...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith... Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:1-2 Hebrews 12:1-2 [1] Why seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
American King James Version×, 11).

Asaph came to understand that the making of a gem requires some abrasions. He wrote:

"For all day long I have been plagued, and chastened every morning... When I thought how to understand this [he refers earlier to the apparently good old times the wicked have], it was too painful for me—until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end...

"Thus my heart was grieved, and I was vexed in my mind... Nevertheless I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory" (Psalms 73:14 Psalms 73:14For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.
American King James Version×, 16-17, 21, 23-24).

To glory! That's our future, our destiny! "The Spirit [itself] bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together" (Romans 8:16-17 Romans 8:16-17 [16] The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: [17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
American King James Version×).

Now the gems of God's special treasure are being worked on. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (verse 18).

Do we let God finish His jewels, or do we insist on our own designs? We should remember that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (verse 28).

Several Facets of God's Gems

In the spiritual gems God is working on, some facets are compulsory. We won't be allowed in His Kingdom without them for the simple reason that our God will not have another Satan in His glorious realm.

When we are going through trials, do we remember that we have to be poor in spirit, to mourn the terrible degeneracy of the present evil world, to be meek, to literally hunger and thirst for righteousness, be merciful, be pure in heart, be peacemakers and not warmongers, rejoice in persecutions, be the salt of the earth, the light of the world (Matthew 5:3-16 Matthew 5:3-16 [3] Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [4] Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. [5] Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. [6] Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. [7] Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. [8] Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. [9] Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. [10] Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11] Blessed are you, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. [13] You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his flavor, with which shall it be salted? it is thereafter good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. [14] You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. [15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house. [16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
American King James Version×)?

How about those facets of the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22 Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
American King James Version×)? Neither can we live eternally without them! Do we work on these? Do we allow the Master Gemologist to work on us?

How about adding to our faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness love (2 Peter 1:2-8 2 Peter 1:2-8 [2] Grace and peace be multiplied to you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, [3] According as his divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that has called us to glory and virtue: [4] Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. [5] And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; [6] And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; [7] And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. [8] For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that you shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
American King James Version×)?

We are being created in God's spiritual image. "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10 Ephesians 2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.
American King James Version×).

When God's special treasure is finished, our Savior "will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body" (Philippians 3:21 Philippians 3:21Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things to himself.
American King James Version×). Never lose track of that when you are going through trials.

What Malachi prophesied is now happening. We now are God's. Today is the day the Master Jeweler is making His jewels, and you are one of them! UN

The author works as translator for UCG's French publications.

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The Master Refiner

Not only is God the Master Diamond and Gem Cutter, but He is also the Master Refiner. The prophet Malachi also uses that analogy. Speaking of Christ's return, he says, "He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver" (Malachi 3:3 Malachi 3:3And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the LORD an offering in righteousness.
American King James Version×).

That's what God does to us, His very special treasure. He refines us.

Consider some lessons from the silversmith.

1. During the silver refining process, the silver has to be put in the middle of the fire where the flames are hottest to take away all impurities.

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 1 Peter 1:4To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you,
American King James Version×, 6-7).

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. Remember, God is making His precious treasure, and that is what it takes to be refined! What else?

2. During the silver refining process, the silver must not be left too long in the fire.

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 10:13 1 Corinthians 10:13There has 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 you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.
American King James Version×).

As with the silver, God always makes sure that we are not in the heat too long. He lovingly watches over us. He doesn't rejoice in our sufferings. He would rather avoid them. But He knows that they are necessary.

3. Moreover, in the refining process, the silver is fully refined when the silversmith sees his image in it!

As it says in 2 Corinthians 3:18 2 Corinthians 3:18But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD.
American King James Version×: "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

When God sees us now, does He see His reflection? Does He see His image? Only in part. If we're still being refined, it's because the Master Silversmith is still at work. And what an honor that is! I know it hurts. We all hurt to different degrees. Some of us are going through very heavy physical or mental or spiritual trials. But God is making in us something that neither Satan nor his demons will ever be. Do we realize that?

Do we see ourselves as God's special treasure or His jewels? It certainly was what Peter had in mind when he wrote: "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people." In other words, God's very special treasure (1 Peter 2:9 1 Peter 2:9But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;
American King James Version×).