Living in the Fire

FIRE! It has so many different attributes. Delightful to destructive, it has a purifying effect. As we review some of these attributes, we can draw parallels to how God works in our lives -- how we are warmed by His presence, purified by His word and how sin is destroyed. If we do not allow God to burn up the sin in our lives and purify our hearts, there is an eternal fire. We do not want to be found in it. We will also look at the different types of fire and examine the characteristics of God and our relationship to Him. This will show us the flaws within ourselves. Through seeing these flaws and recognizing God for who He is, we are better able to function in the reality of Scripture. “10 According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon. 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 each man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; [a]and the fire itself shall prove each man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.” (I Corinthians 3:10-15;) You can see how beautiful fire is when sitting by a fireplace! Fire has warmth that is soothing and lovely, especially when it is cold. But even on a hot summer’s day, a campfire can be delightful. The flames dance round and change color and shape. Each peak seems to delight in itself as it raises and lowers or leaps across the adjoining flames. It has a crisp sound caused by the destruction it leaves in its path. And destructive it can be. In a moment, fire can rage beyond control, driving back man and beast alike, consuming everything in its path. It can be forceful and irrational, roaring off in any direction. Both useful and dangerous, fire must be tended. It needs attention in order to be controlled, and it needs attention to continue to burn. Fire is not only a tool for man; it is also symbolic of a wide range of human emotions and experiences. We live in a symbolic fire, and that is the fire we must be ever tending, whether it is soothing, passionate, raging or smoldering. The saddest time of all is when the fire of life goes out. Without the fire of life, there is only a hardened, cold person. Unfortunately, this spiritual death can happen long before a body meets physical death. To avoid becoming cold, it is important for us to tend the fire in our hearts. It is in the symbolic fire, the spiritual fire, where we live, grow, and do battle. The battle in our lives can take many different forms, such as alcoholism or drug addiction. It may be living unequally yoked or with an abusive family member (this does not mean continuing in a situation where your physical health is at risk.) It could be caring for someone you love who cannot care for himself; being jobless, having a job you hate or being in such financial debt you cannot see your way out. Perhaps you are living in a marriage in which you feel trapped but want desperately for things to work out. Imagine seeing all the dreams you hoped life to be, shattered through a glass of reality never considered, or living with bitterness and hatred stirred up from the past. The circumstances can be anything, but the battle belongs to the Lord. With enough time, heat, and pressure, a piece of coal becomes a diamond. Like a diamond, let us learn how our lives can be created in the image of God.