In 1 Peter 1: 3-9 the apostle Peter describes an inheritance that is yet to come. It is a salvation that is yet to be fulfilled. Right now a period of testing is underway. God wants purity in the lives of His people.

I have watched on a PBS program where gold was refined. (I know this has been repeated in sermons.) God wants a people who are purified in order that His will is accomplished. He wants the real thing.

Gold is precious. I have gold in my mouth. Someone took the time to purify it and make it available for use. It still serves a purpose. I cannot believe that a time will exist in the future where gold will not serve some higher purpose. It is no different for those whom God chooses to purify. Real gold is soft and can be molded. So is the soul that is God seeks to mold after His will. I want a "golden heart" that can be shaped by God not fool's gold that is hard and brittle.   

1 Corinthians 3:13 each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work.

The question is: How does God purify the heart and mind?  The answer is by The Holy Spirit and the word of God. (Eph 5:26-27; 1 Thess 5:23; Luke 11:13)

scripture also says, "by the renewing of the mind through the washing of the Word."  Or something like that.

1 John 3:3  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Glorious wrote: The hope of God, which is a thing of grace, purifies the saint.

bvaug responded: How does this work?

The Hope of God derives from the Grace of God - see 2 Thes. 2:16: Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given [us] everlasting consolation and good hope through grace

The Hope of God is made up of the acceptable thing of God and of the patience of God. These two things constituting the Hope of God come as a (result) of the power of God working out the things of Grace.

Water symbolically represents things of the Grace of God. Therefore, applying (working out) water by the power of God, which results in the Hope of God, cleanses and purifies. That is how come whosoever has the Hope of God is pure.. and purifies himself.

It said in Proverbs 3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

In some cases the lord's chastise is not always because a person has done something wrong, some situation are spiritual. Like Job, abraham, Daniel, Paul, etc. When a person get in this true word of God its not rosy as people say or think. Paul said in 2Corinthians 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. 11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? 11:30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 11:31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

Now all beaten or persecution made not be physical. now, we should clearly understand these verses that the Master is saying here.

Jesus said in Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Will you deny the LORD for your mother or your father or any other family member? Will you turn away from His law for someone in your family? Look and see who the LORD considers family members.

Matthew 12:46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. 47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. 48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. So I see, if you do the will of the Father in heaven you are a family member.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

We have no idea what awaits us if we make it to the right side of the gulf. We must keep his commandment in order to make it. Have faith that he will deliver us at the time appointed. If we use the examples of our forefathers in Hebrews 11, we will be alright.

When you really serving the true and living God, keeping his commandments, stautes and judgement, you can relate to all the prophets and the apostles, understanding there walk with the lord purifing the heart and mind.

Thanks you to all the posters who have responded. There are so many Scriptures. God has a way of working His will in a life. I grew up in churches hearing a song that is very appropriate in expressing God molding and shaping a heart. It was written by Adelaide A. Pollard, 1862-1934. It refers to God working with clay. Is this clay hard or soft? What does God want?   

1.   Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
   Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
   Mold me and make me after thy will,
   while I am waiting, yielded and still.

2.   Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
   Search me and try me, Savior today!
   Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now,
   as in thy presence humbly I bow.

3.   Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
   Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
   Power, all power, surely is thine!
   Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

4.   Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
   Hold o'er my being absolute sway.
   Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
   Christ only, always, living in me!