PURIFY OR PURGE, THE FIRE OF GOD

Purify or Purge, the Fire of God

Jeremiah 20:8 For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the Lord was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. 9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

Jeremiah didn’t want to speak. He was tired of being the fall guy for everyone’s blame. The prophet like many of us finally declared he wouldn’t speak God’s word and thereby avoid the derision and violence of the people. God didn’t rebuke or chasten Him. His word simply became so strong he could no longer hold it back. It burned within him like a furnace and he had to speak or be consumed. The effort to remain silent was greater than the cost of speaking. It burned through all his defenses and poured forth from his lips.

Lamentations 1:12 Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger. 13 From above hath he sent fire into my bones, and it prevaileth against them: he hath spread a net for my feet, he hath turned me back: he hath made me desolate and faint all the day.

At times the work of God can seem like a punishment. God drives us from within and the people mock and threaten us from without. We are between a rock and a hard place and there is no escape. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:16, “Woe be unto me if I preach not the gospel of peace.” It is indeed a gospel of peace and yet my peace of mind is not His gift but my peace of heart. My heart is set free while my mind must be renewed by measures of death unto life.

Romans 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

On the one hand, if you feed and comfort your enemy he will likely become your friend. You have given him the coals of fire in a clay pot to warm his own hearth and heart. On the other hand, if he still hates you, the fire of God’s word will burn in his conscience. In either event, you ought to overcome his evil with good and your heart ought to desire to see his salvation. If you are always seeking revenge or redress then your faith is small and you are masking a lot of fear.

1 Corinthians 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, 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 by fire.

If we build with gold, silver and precious gems of God’s wisdom then it will remain intact after all the trials and tribulations. If not, if we build on wood, hay and stubble then all our works will burn to ash and we will still have our salvation but might smell just a bit singed. Our Father in Heaven expects us to build on kingdom principles of love and faith. If we do, those principles will see our fruit remain. When Thomas Edison created the first practical long-lived light bulb he tried hundreds of different filaments with limited success. Until the invention of tungsten wire the most durable material was a strip of carbonized bamboo. Carbon carries electricity quite well and it worked very well … after being burned to a crisp. Once most of your flesh life is consumed by the Word and trials you too will come forth as pure gold.

2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Can you learn to rest in Him; to abide under the shadow of the Almighty? Can YOU say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and fortress; my God, in Him will I trust?” This scripture says to rest with the rest of God’s children and when Jesus returns with His mighty angelic hosts He will be revenged of those who ridiculed and mocked His children. Will you have that testimony that you believed?

Hebrews 11:32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

I’m only going to mention verse 34a. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into a blistering furnace and God supported them. It wasn’t fair. They shouldn’t have been singled out; after all, they served God. Truth is, those who tossed them in died. They didn’t even smell of smoke. How’s your faith in God?

1 Peter 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Think about this. The trial of your faith if it leads you to praise, glorify and honor Christ is far more valuable to God than silver or gold. His joy and ours is the salvation of our souls. Trials hurt and cause us difficulty but there can be no glory with God if we do not go through those trials and come forth as pure gold.

Just a few additional thoughts on fire.

Fire burns up oxygen and oxygen is what causes tissues to become corrupted and metals to rust.

Fire creates heat that destroys harmful microorganisms and prevents disease.

Fire creates light for guidance.

Fire creates heat for comfort.

Fire clears away brush and trees for building and planting.

Fire forces you to move.

Fire motivates.

Fire tempers metals and makes them stronger.

Fire changes something’s composition.

Let the fire have it’s perfect work beloved.

Bishop J