Fire

Keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you through the laying on of my hands. 2 Timothy 1:6

One of the things one can do in the country that one can’t do in the city is burn things. If I could get a really big fire going at my house, I could resolve a lot of problems. I know you heard the wag who said, “what every Church needs is a few resignations and a big fire.” And, of course, you remember the story about the deacon standing near his burning Church when a fellow he didn’t recognize walked up. Said the deacon, “I’ve never seen you at Church before,” to which the fellow replied, “I’ve never seen your Church on fire before.”

Paul reminds Timothy that there must to be a blaze inside him which burns the dross, and fires the commitment to llove. It is indeed the same Spirit of God resident in Moses’ burning bush that now empowers the flame of faith, joy, peace and sound judgment in our hearts.

Unfortunately we forget there are two kinds of fire: Holy fire and the fire that comes from the pit of Hell itself. The latter is clearly seen in the tongue, boasting great things, igniting a forest, polluting the whole body and setting the course of life on fire. (James 3:5-6 paraphrased) I know that kind of fire temporally. It is a boon when properly controlled for eliminating a multitude of unwanted things around the farm. But when it is uncontrolled, smoldering without constraint, it can break out in a conflagration that consumes everything in sight.

We must learn how to keep ablaze the gift of God within us. That is a chore for many who have no idea what a “gift” is, much less how to use it. The Scripture clearly indicates that each believer is gifted by God for that certain work of ministry empowered by His Spirit without which we all fail to come quickly to the “measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” We need to be kindling the flame which God has placed within our own life, and kindling the flame which God has placed in our spiritual brothers and sisters. As we tend the fires together there is a power that is released that is according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began (2 Timothy 1:9).

Sometimes, in a large forest fire, the firemen light backfires which they expect will consume the fuel and ultimately bring the inferno to an end. I assure you our society is on fire from Hell and our families and our friends are being consumed little by little as the fire spreads throughout life. It’s time to light the backfires of the Gospel, to fan God’s flame in our heart, to commit to our holy calling and be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:1-2).

Our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). Be a person on fire!