I

Through his lifetime,

Peter suffered hundreds of painful trials.

Such refinement was the foundation

of his supreme love of God.

It was the most significant experience of his whole life.

His love of God was thanks to his will,

but more his refinement and suffering.

Such suffering was his guide to loving God,

was the most memorable thing to him.

If people don’t go through the pain

of refinement when loving God,

their love follows its natural course,

overrun with preferences.

If people don’t go through the pain

of refinement when loving God,

their love is full of Satan’s thoughts

and cannot satisfy God’s will.

II

Resolving to love God is not the same as truly loving God.

One may only hold in their heart loving, satisfying Him,

as if it lacked human ideas, as if it were all for God.

But before God, all of this cannot be commended or blessed.

Even when one may grasp and know all truths,

that’s not a sign of truly loving God.

Though people may have understood

many truths without refinement,

they are incapable of putting these truths into practice.

Only when they are refined can people truly understand

the real meaning of these truths

and appreciate their deep meaning.

III

At that time they are able to

practice truth properly as God wills.

Then will their human thoughts recede,

human naturalness reduce.

And at that time will

all their human emotions be lessened too.

It’s only then that all they do truly expresses loving God.

The truth of loving God

bears not fruit through knowledge of words,

or wishes or understanding, but demands a price be paid.

It requires man to suffer, to suffer much in refinement.

Only then will man’s love be pure

and satisfy God’s heart for sure.

from Follow the Lamb and Sing New Songs