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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Acid Test

While reading up on testing the purity of gold for yesterday’s post, I ran into the following interesting information:

Testing for gold with acid focuses around the fact that gold is a noble metal which is resistant to change by corrosion, oxidation or acid. The acid test for gold is to rub the gold-colored item on black stone (or touchstone), which will leave an easily visible mark. The mark is tested by applying nitric acid, which dissolves the mark of any item that is not gold. If the mark remains, it is tested by applying a combination of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid (aqua regia—or ‘royal water’). If the mark is removed, then this test dissolved the gold, proving the item to be genuine gold. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid_test_(gold))

I found this fascinating. I’ve often wondered why suffering affects people differently. Some people dissolve into bitterness early, with the first acid test. Their mark on this world disappears, their life and accomplishments of little value to others.

In contrast, those who are golden--noble and pure to the elemental level—are resistant to change by corruption. Their hearts are not darkened even with prolonged exposure to pollutants. They only dissolve or surrender to the King. And when they finally change, they take on the Christ-like qualities that leave a lasting mark.

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