Articles
Be The Fire
Fire is one of those things that can be both good and bad, most often depending on the situation, but sometimes a little of both. Grass and forest fires certainly are a danger, but the effects of the fires can be positive. According to the U.S. Forest Service, controlled fires "reduce flammable fuels, restore ecosystem health, recycle nutrients, or prepare an area for new trees or vegetation." While that is true of 'controlled' fires, the positive after-effects of a wildfire are similar. Even low-intensity fires have "regenerated the forest and cleansed the understory of potential hazardous fuels." Wildfires are certainly dangerous, but fire, in general, is not always a bad thing.
Of course, man has used fire for many positive things throughout history. We use it for cooking every day; we use it to heat our homes; we use it in manufacturing to build objects capable of supporting great weight, traveling safely at high speeds, sailing across oceans, or flying through the air. The list of positive uses for fire is lengthy, but let us for now admit that fire can be a good thing, and let us now make a point relating to spiritual matters and how we can be the fire [in a positive sense] to those around us. But let us be careful to be the fire only in the positive sense.
Be The Light. Throughout the Bible, we see analogies of light applied to certain people or things of God, and lights in the times of the Bible were most assuredly fire. For example: The psalmist wrote, in his words to the Lord regarding His word, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psa. 119:105); the torch was the means of traveling safely through darkness, and that is exactly the point the psalmist was making.
In the same way, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:14-16). As lights, we are to shine so others may see our good works and glorify God. We need to be the fire, shining in such a way that others will see God living in us and His word directing our ways, and then glorify God because of that influence.
The reality of this world is that the vast majority are in darkness, whether they know it or not, and whether they will admit it or not. Jesus once quoted a passage from Isaiah (Isa. 9:2) that spoke prophetically of His coming; that passage noted, “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light” (Matt. 4:16). Jesus also noted that some would rather remain in the dark because they hated light because it exposed their deeds for the evil that it was (John 3:19, 20). In all these passages, we see the value of light in that it exposes dangers and enables us to see where we are actually going, and in a safe way.
It is this we need to be to the world! We need to be the light Jesus said we are, showing the way to eternal life and exposing the dangers that abide in darkness — where the vast majority of the world resides! Be the light. Be the fire.
Be The Line of Safety. If you've ever watched some movie about pioneers out in the wilderness, you probably remember a scene where someone is told to keep the fire burning through the night to keep the wolves and/or other wild animals away; there is some wisdom in that! Fire is quite often the only thing that keeps some wild animals from approaching and, possibly, attacking.
God used this picture of fire as a protective line of defense once, prophetically speaking of what might rightly be considered the 'New Jerusalem' where, He said, “‘For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’” (Zech. 2:5). Here, the fire is a means of defense and protection against all outside harm.
As the people of God and the ones whose aim is to lead others to Christ, that duty does not end with the teaching of the word, but must also include our care and concern for those who do obey the gospel message; I believe this charge is fulfilled first at home, too, with our own children. We need to be the ones who help ground them in the faith (cf. Col. 1:23) and strengthen and encourage them by equipping them properly (Eph. 4:11-16) so they may have the proper defenses against our spiritual adversary (1 Pet. 5:8). Let us be that line of defense to guard against whatever spiritual harm may come their way, and let them see that we stand with them in their fight against the one who would devour them, if he had the chance. Be the defense. Be the fire.
Be The Comfort. Fire may also be a source of comfort and warmth. We see this in the scene surrounding Jesus as He was brought before the high priest for the mockery of a trial. While Jesus faced them, “the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself” (John 18:18). In this scene, the fire was a source of comfort and warmth; we can relate, I am sure, in both a literal and figurative sense.
Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of our busy lives, we forget that this is something we can do and should do for our fellow man — especially to our fellow believers. Paul admonished the brethren at Thessalonica, “warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all” (1 Thess. 5:14); you see, warning the disobedient isn't our only duty! He would also tell these same brethren to “comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing” (1 Thess. 5:11), and to “comfort one another with these words” (1 Thess. 4:18) — words that brought hope and comfort to the believers that they would not miss out on Christ's coming if they died before that day. Comfort was a much-needed action then and now.
Furthermore, we see that Paul gave instruction to those in Corinth regarding the sinning brother who had repented, telling them that they now had a duty to “forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow” (2 Cor. 2:7). When we have sinned, and when we have repented and sought forgiveness and restoration, comfort and forgiveness can go a long way in helping us to get back to where we need to be. When you have the opportunity, be the fire. Be the comfort.
Be ON Fire. Once, during a time when God's word was constantly rejected and he, its messenger, was ridiculed, Jeremiah wrote, “Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name.’ But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not” (Jer. 20:9). He could not hold back from teaching God's word because it was like a fire inside him that needed to be expressed. He had such a zeal for God's word and for his brethren, he could not hold it in!
We need to be like Jeremiah, with hearts on fire for the souls around us as God's word is in our hearts “like a burning fire.” In the New Testament, the Greek word applicable here is zelos — zealous! This word literally translated refers to something boiling over, like lava. This is what we need to be! Be the one who cannot help but speak God's word. Be the fire. Be ON Fire! — Steven Harper
