God’s Diplomats: Firing Offenses

John answered them all, saying, ‘I baptize you with water, but He Who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire’ 

Luke 3:16 (ESV)

Fire can refine us. ‘You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined’ (Psalm 66:10).

Fire can transport us. ‘Suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared… and Elijah went up into heaven in a whirlwind’ (2 Kings 2:11).

Fire can consume us. ‘Our God is a consuming fire’ (Hebrews 12:29).

Fire can be passion. ‘He makes His messengers winds, His ministers a flaming fire’ (Psalm 104:4).

Fire reveals our work. ‘The fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is’ (1 Corinthians 3:13).

Fire describes Jesus. ‘His Eyes are like blazing fire, and on His Head are many crowns’ (Revelation 19:12).

Fire is God’s Spirit. ‘​​Divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them’ (Acts 2:3).

Fire is Satan’s end (and false prophets, too). ‘The devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever’ (Revelation 20:10).

Earth’s earliest people (and creatures) knew: Fire is GOOD or BAD.

  • It can warm, guide, light,  inspire and protect,

  • Or… it can burn, chase, blind, frighten and kill.

Here’s my big concern: If false prophets face everlasting fire (because they lead lost sheep away from God), do false Christians face His scorching fire, too? 

Shouldn’t we be testing our own leaders? God says, ‘Test all things; hold fast what is good’ (1 Thessalonians 5:21).

Even if our own faith is Rock-solid, the faith of lambs (baby Christians) isn’t.

God’s Diplomate: Firing Offenses (Part 15)

Carey Arban