Fire
John the Baptist testified that Jesus would be the one who would baptize people with the holy spirit and with fire (Mt 3:11).
In Lk 12:49, Jesus said,
“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”
Similarly, the Old Testament compared God’s word in the mouth of Jeremiah to fire and God’s people to the wood the fire consumed (Jer 5:14).
According to Rv 11:5, fire from the mouths of God’s two witnesses devours anyone who tries to harm them. Taken together, all of these passages make it clear that the Bible uses fire to figuratively represent God’s word.
Why did God use fire to represent his word?
What characteristics do fire and the word share? God’s words can be full of love, grace, and mercy, but they can also be filled with judgment and wrath.
John said that Jesus would baptize with fire because the words he spoke would consume people’s sin and wickedness (Mt 3:11). Jesus wished in Lk 12:49 that his fire were already kindled because he wanted the words of the holy spirit that are like fire to enter people and consume their sins. Sometimes, in his grace, God causes our hearts to burn as we listen to his words (Lk 24:32).
In summary, fire represents God’s words of judgment—a cleansing baptism that consumes our sins. But fire can also represent God’s words of grace that burn within our hearts.
Jesus wanted the words of the holy spirit that are like fire to enter people and consume their sins. Amen.
ReplyDeleteThis in itself is wrong of us by the word of God's judgment is just like all the destruction and witness to the gospel of the New Testament fulfillment getting shape and likeness of God, born again now nine won wish to gain God send us the promise of a shepherd truth gaveso grateful to God.
ReplyDeleteThank you by the word of God's truth.
ReplyDeletein short, only the word that is like fire can change us spiritually.
ReplyDelete