Fire!

TEXT:

‘For the Lord your God is a consuming fire; He is a jealous (impassioned) God [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely His]’ (Deuteronomy 4:24 AMP).

On cold, winter nights, it’s comforting to warm oneself around the fire, especially if it’s wood or coal. What a difference a real fire makes. Fire has an eternal aspect in that when it’s kept going, it will never go out of its own accord. Proverbs says, ‘The fire never says, “Enough”’ (Proverbs 30:16). Recent wildfires around the world bear testament to this truth. Today’s Teaching highlights what the Bible has to say about fire.

1. Fire of Compromise – ‘Now when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.” But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.”’ (Luke 22:55-57).

Jesus had been arrested and brought before the High Priest. Peter followed at a distance to see what would happen. As he warmed himself by the fire, a servant girl challenged him, that he was a disciple. When Peter denied it three times, the cock crew and Jesus looked at him. Jesus’ prophecy had come true, and Peter ran off weeping bitterly.

When we seek comfort in what the world has provided, it’s easier for us to compromise. The Bible says, ‘If anybody asks why you believe as you do, be ready to tell him, and do it in a gentle and respectful way’ (1 Peter 3:15 TLB). All too often the fear of man brings a snare and our mouth remains closed, or even worse we imply that we’re not even a Christian.

2. The Fire of Consecration

When God wanted to show His approval for the building of the Tabernacle in the Wilderness and later, the temple, He did so by sending fire. Fire came from the Lord and consumed the sacrifice. (See Leviticus 9:24 & 2 Chronicles 7:1). God let everyone know He was pleased with what had been done. Even when David wrongly numbered Israel and a plague resulted, God graciously showed him where the temple was to be sited and brought fire down on the sacrifice (See 1 Chronicles 21:26). Knowing God had accepted him, David put all his effort into giving and preparing materials for Solomon to build the temple.

3. The Fire of Challenge

It seems incredible that Israel could ever think of leaving the Lord, when one considers their miraculous exodus from Egypt, wilderness wanderings and successful conquest of Canaan. It is sad but true that every blessing seemed to be followed by backsliding, leaving the one true God for heathen idols.

Elijah appeared on the scene to pronounce a drought which ended with a confrontation between him and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (See 1 Kings 18). The challenge was, “Which God would answer by fire?” After giving the prophets of Baal ample time to show their god was real, Elijah made it doubly hard for the true God to answer by saturating the sacrifice with gallons of water. In response to Elijah’s simple prayer, God answered with fire and all the watching crowds could say was, “The Lord, He is God” as they fell on their faces.

4. The Fire of Warning

The same fire from God that accompanied the consecration of the Tabernacle, also brought judgment on Nadab and Abihu, who drunkenly thought anyone could take a censer and offer incense to the Lord (See Leviticus 10:1-3).

The same fire dealt with Korah, Dathan and Abiram, who together with 250 leaders challenged the leadership of Moses and Aaron, accusing them of lording it over the people (See Numbers 16:1-40).

The Bible also warns about the lake of fire. Originally created for the devil and his angels, there is a sobering message for all, ‘And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire’ (Revelation 20:15 NLT).

The good news is that no one needs to suffer that fate. All can be saved from it through faith in Jesus Christ.

5. The Fire of Evangelism

John the Baptist prophesied that Jesus, ‘Will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire’ (Luke 3:16). On the Day of Pentecost, ‘Tongues of fire, sat on each of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 2:3-4).

After personally receiving this miraculous infilling, the disciples poured out into the streets of Jerusalem and began sharing their faith. They were obeying Jesus’ command to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every person.

Perhaps you find it difficult or embarrassing to witness, unsure of what to do or say, or maybe the fire’s gone cold. God can give you another miraculous infilling of the Holy Spirit, so you can reach your generation with the gospel, for the need to do so is as great now as it has ever been.

God is a consuming fire. Not someone to be terrified of but revered and loved. When we do that, we’ll find God working with us and for us, revealing His love to us. He will bless us and make us a blessing.

The next time you switch on or sit around the fire, remember these truths and allow the Holy Spirit to keep fanning the flames!