No Fire, Warmth, or Light Without Sacrifice!

No Fire, Warmth, or Light Without Sacrifice!

Every fire has to have a sacrifice in order to burn. If we think of natural fire, it has to have wood, coal, oil, etc. This also applies to the spiritual realm.

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matt. 3:11. “Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.” Acts 2:3.

Then a powerful revival broke out. It was such a glorious experience that many people thought the disciples were full of sweet wine. There had to be a continual sacrifice if this fire was to keep burning. The apostles, and several with them, were a sacrifice, with the result that the fire spread wildly. The fire gave off warmth and light. However, we see that in the ensuing years, the fire was almost quenched, but then it flared up again as some people gave themselves as a sacrifice to the fire.

Many people have had this glorious experience of being baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire; but it is not a glorious feeling to be led by the Spirit, because then the person has to become a sacrifice for the fire. Therefore we need this constant exhortation to walk in the Spirit, and to do the good.

“But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Rom. 8:13. “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Gal. 5:16.

We see that the Spirit wants to have the authority over us to lay the sacrifice on the fire. The sacrifice is our self-life—the flesh with its passions and desires. Either the fire has power and we give off warmth and light so that the result is unity, with the life of Christ being revealed, or we withdraw from the fire, and the flesh gains power. Then the result will be coldness, darkness, and division.

When we think of the reason behind all the division and sin that is among God’s people, it is that the fire is not given its sacrifices. Instead of being led by the Spirit into the fire, people constantly seek the glorious experience when they received the Spirit. When a person believes that he has received the Spirit, he wants to speak about that experience, making it as great and glorious as he can. Should it then be less glorious to be led by the Spirit? Does a person need to look back to something glorious? Not at all! None of those who are willing to be led by the Spirit look back. Only those who are unwilling to be led look back.

“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Col. 3:5.

Think of the darkness that has enveloped Christendom because this exhortation has not been heeded, because the fire did not get its prey. Think of the warmth, the light, and the unity that would have existed if this exhortation had been followed and the fire had been permitted to do its work!

Therefore, we know the way if we want to have revival and be a blessing. All those who, throughout the ages, have exuded warmth and light have been a sacrifice. May we serve in such a way that the fire can flare up in the end times as never before!