Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.  Hebrews 12:28-29

I believe that one of the great joys of life is sitting around a fire with people you’re close to and enjoying the fellowship as well as the fire.  I’m sure that those feelings are partially due to the bonfires at church camp when I was a child and a teen.  At the end of the night there was singing (both fun and spiritual) which as followed by the final message of the day.  It always seemed that God spoke more clearly and directly with darkness surrounding everything outside the glow of the fire.   However, I also have a healthy respect for fire.  It doesn’t take much for a fire to get out of control and I am keenly familiar with its destructive nature.  I remember my dad, a volunteer fireman, coming home from a fire that claimed a home and the lives of four people inside.  I also vividly remember being asked, as an adolescent orderly, to bathe a man who had been burned over most of his body.  Despite its ability to destroy and consume, as far back as I can remember I have loved fire.  Candles, bonfires, hearth fires, and even consuming fires are beautiful to me and each reminds me of some aspect of God and His power at work.

My mother always set a wonderful table; on special occasions, the tablescape included candles.  I have followed that tradition and enjoy having candles of all sorts around the house and occasionally burn them during the day.  With little effort, they create a pleasant ambiance as their flames dance and flicker.  With the discovery of electricity, their utility and need has diminished, but they are still quite useful for illuminating a home during a power outage.  On a greater level, God and His word are both at work to enhance our lives and light our way.  In Psalm 18 David says “The Lord my God illumines my darkness” and in Psalm 27 adds “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”  Psalm 119:105 declares “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” while Psalm 43:3 further states “O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me”.  Finally, in John 8:12 Our Lord proclaims: “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”  Candles are a lovely addition to our lives, but how much better it is that our Savior and His word bring godly beauty to our lives, enlighten our souls and illuminate our path out of darkness into the light of eternity.

Bonfires and hearth fires take combustion to another level as they provide both ambiance and significant heat.  The atmosphere draws us in and promotes fellowship while the heat warms the body and provides a means to create meals.  The Spirit of God works in a similar fashion.  Is it not the Holy Spirit that knits our souls to other believers and draws us into fellowship with them?  Is it not also the Spirit of God drawing us into fellowship with Him as well?  It is no small thing that the Spirit descending on the early Christians showed up in the form of “tongues as of fire” igniting their souls.  It is that same Spirit that sets our souls on fire as well.   The Holy Spirit provides a catalyst for our spiritual growth, our acts of service, and response to the word of God as it comes to us; but it is a catalyst that needs an outlet.  Jeremiah recognized this.  Because of his faithful service to God He suffered reproach and mused that he might be silent, yet he could not and declared “But if I say, ‘I will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name,’ then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it.”  (Jeremiah 20:9)  We too, when confronted by the Spirit of God, must not hold the passion in but allow it to lead us “acceptable service” to our God as He provides means and opportunity so that our light shines and our Lord is glorified.

While most people enjoy candles and bonfires, most fear the all-consuming fire as they immediately consider the loss of forests, homes or lives.  The difference has to do with control.  With a bit of intelligence and attention, candles, bonfires, and fireplaces can be managed with minimal risk; however, the consuming fire is beyond control in some form or fashion.   Despite the possible devastation, there is a sense in which extreme and uncontrolled fires produce a benefit.  For example, intense fires are used to purify metals and forest fires actually purge the land allowing rejuvenating growth and balanced ecosystems.  It should therefore, come as no surprise that God is referred to as a “consuming fire”.  As our Sovereign and Almighty God, His decisions and actions are beyond the control of man.  As Holy God, the destruction that He ordains is used to purge and eradicate sin whether it is on a grand scale throughout nations or in a more precise manner in the lives of His children to refine and perfect them.  As the One Living and True God, He punishes and consumes those who oppose Him.  Further, scripture teaches us that “the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.” (Hebrews 1:11-12, 2 Peter 3:10-13, Revelation 20:11, and Revelation 21:1)  As dreadful as that day will be, it will bring the return of our Lord; establish a new heaven and earth; usher in a new holy existence eradicating sin and death once and for all and allow us to dwell with God.  In light of our God who is described as a consuming fire, the apostles Peter and Paul give us two appropriate responses.  We are to live in “holy conduct and godliness” (2 Peter 3:11-12) and “offer to God acceptable service with reverence and awe”.  Given our intense immersion in this world and the fact that these responses are countercultural, we need to focus intently on God’s holiness, greatness and all-consuming nature in order to develop a proper sense of urgency to live in holy conduct and godliness as well as to properly revere and stand in awe of Almighty God.

Fire is an integral part of human life that consumes whatever it touches and yet it provides light, beauty, warmth, fellowship and the means to nourishment.  The fire of God is also both dangerous and beneficial.  It destroys the wicked and purges sin, but it also brings us out of the darkness and leads us to the light of eternity.  Accept Christ’s “Light of life, allow the fire of the Holy Spirit to ignite your soul and let the consuming nature of Almighty God cause you to live well and stand in awe of Him who has made you, redeemed you and has given you hope for eternity.

May God send out His light and His truth, let them lead you; let them bring you to His holy hill and to His dwelling places.

Will