“The Lord Your God Is a Consuming Fire . . . .”

“The Lord Your God Is a Consuming Fire . . . .”

And we are called to be like Him; in other words, to be a consuming fire! How does this harmonize with our life? Are we also a consuming fire against all sin? May everyone answer this himself!

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matt. 3:11. The main thing or the evidence is not the gift of tongues or other gifts of the Spirit, as many people think, but rather the Spirit’s power and fire! “For everyone will be seasoned with fire . . . .” Mark 9:49.

Many people have imagined that this is like fireworks, like a display instead of a consuming fire. Then they have misunderstood everything!

“And from the throne proceeded lightnings [lightning fire], thunderings, and voices. And there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven spirits of God.” Rev. 4:5.

It is particularly noteworthy that all seven spirits of God are lamps of burning fire!!! None of them, not even one of them is a spirit that is filled with balm?!

The explanation is simply that God is far more holy and pure than any of us suspect, and that we are by far more unholy and impure—without being aware of it—than we suspect.

Poor hay and straw—all the gossips and religious hypocrites—if they come close to God’s throne where the seven lamps of fire are burning!

However, God has also prepared another fire! Sin and ungodliness will be consumed regardless, either in one way or another!

How wise it is to love God’s fire voluntarily now, in the time of grace, so that sin and our “self” can be consumed instead of being cast into the lake of fire in the end unwillingly.

We see even now that for many religious people, especially preachers and leaders, it is unbearable simply to be together with wholehearted brothers who, of course, represent a far weaker fire than is God Himself. Many people become bitter opponents when God’s fire is burning.

But—dear brothers—just let the fire burn! This is God’s will! This is what Jesus longed for when He was on earth in the days of His flesh. This is right, good, sound, and effective!