The Bible mentions in several passages that God is a consuming fire and that we must burn for Him. However, for this, we also need discernment.
We must constantly seek the Father’s wisdom to distinguish what comes from Him and what is merely burning out of a desire of the flesh.
Revive us!
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:28-29
When I hear these passages, revival comes to mind.
Revival is not merely about gathering people and making noise. There is already plenty of noise that lacks the presence of God. Revival is the life of the Lord breathing life into us, resurrecting what was dead.
And this is not about the volume of your voice, but rather the condition of your heart and your true intention. God knows us intimately; a whisper uttered with the spirit carries much more weight than a shout from the mouth.
When the intention of our hearts is to seek the Father, His consuming fire surrounds us without any effort on our part.
Special portion
“And afterward, will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on My servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”
Joel 2:28-29
We must be cautious not to mistake the sensation of burning with merely feeling the warmth of the person next to us.
God ignites a flame in each of our hearts, a unique and individual portion. Seeking to replicate someone else’s fire may not ignite the same blaze within us, as each of us has a distinct path that God intends to lead us on.
We should not rely on the experiences of those around us, as God reveals Himself uniquely to each person, in a manner that is special and personal. The warmth we feel from those beside us should not alter the intensity of the fire of the Spirit burning within us; otherwise, we will merely be gathered together without experiencing genuine revival.
Matthew 18:20 reminds us that where two or three are gathered in His name, He is present and has the freedom to act. He will act whether we are alone seeking Him, with one other person, or among many calling out to Him.
You don’t need to follow others; offer your worship in your own way and according to your individuality. Then, God will pour out His love, grace, and mercy upon you in a unique manner.
Constant flame
“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them”
Acts 2:4
In order for us to burn for Him, it is essential to understand that when we go to church, we are not there just to attend a service. We are the worship. When we grasp that everything depends on dedication and devotion, things change…
We need to offer our worship to Him by opening our hearts to His Holy Spirit, not simply watching other people worship and prostrate themselves.
When we witness other people’s brokenness, we may be moved, but God doesn’t just call us to witness what He is doing around us. He mainly calls us to recognize what He is doing in us and allow Him to inflame our hearts, making us channels of this grace.
God wants to fill his heart with the flame of first love. A flame that does not go out, that consumes constantly and eternally, until we meet Him in eternity.
