Good fire, bad fire...



As I write this, we have a dicey air quality outside due to fires burning many miles away. The haze reminded me of the paradox of fire.


What paradox? Good question.

Fire can destroy and kill and yet fire is essential for purification, cooking food properly, and warmth. We need it but I can hurt us as well.

In the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, we find fire in many situations - warmth, metal refining, cooking, worship practices, and judgment. Moses met God through a bush that was on fire. Israel, in returning to the idea of paradox, was both led by fire and at times destroyed by fire by God's judgments. Daniel's 3 friends were in a sense redeemed by God's fire despite King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon right?

In the book of Matthew and in Acts we see fire representing the Holy Spirit and the filling presence of Almighty God.

Listen to the writer of Hebrews speaking of this:

So since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us give thanks, and through this let us offer worship pleasing to God in devotion and awe. For our God is indeed a devouring fire.
Hebrews 12:28-29 from the New English Translation

May we allow God's fire of refinement to burn away what is impure and may God's presence fill us with a passion for His Kingdom come!

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