The Fire Within

Trial by Fire doesn’t have to mean us going through something outwardly tragic; it can also mean us having to let go of something that is inwardly dear. 

There is no need for me to elucidate upon the scope of our various inner fears, prejudices, and idolatries. The Lord’s word is sufficient:  trial by fire for some, is within. When Moses encountered Yahweh, he saw the Angel of the Lord “in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; … yet the bush was not consumed.“ The Hebrew word translated as “bush” means bramble bush or thorn bush. We are the bramble bush. Indeed, the thorny bush, ‘tis I. Jesus wore us as a crown upon His blessed head, enduring our pricks that drew His holy blood. His blood atones for our sin, but from that moment onward, His Spirit works within us to sanctify our will.  Thus, the fire of the Lord must search us through within, leaving only what cannot be consumed. He cannot consume His own nature. All that is contrary to His nature is consumed. 

Our God is a consuming fire who has created mankind to be His dwelling place. We receive His nature when the spirit of His Son enters into us by faith. That same spirit searches us and tries us, sanctifying our will and emotions so that we reflect the desires and character of God. But we must be willing to let go of the things we cling to within that keep us tethered to  ignorance, immaturity, and the likeness of our fallen flesh. 

We must all pass through the fire. We may pass through willingly, unto sanctification. Or we may pass through at the command of Christ, unto destruction. Either way, the fire will judge every man. If you are a human being, then God is inevitable and there is no escape from this. To survive God, you must have His nature. To have His nature, you must receive His Son. Even so, for those who have received His Son, some will suffer loss, and some will receive reward. 

“…’The Lord will judge his people.’ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Heb 10:30,31)

“…each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work.” (1 Cor 3:13)