PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 12:49-53
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“I have come to bring fire on the earth…” (Luke 12:49)
Jesus does not cause fire and division, but his actions do result in them.
The God life in him agitates the self-life, causing a reaction in people.
Some people are humbled and drawn to the God life in Jesus – they long for it.
But others are troubled and angered, and want to snuff it out.
This is what happens to Jesus, and to those who identify with him.
History bears this out, many humble Jesus followers have endured ‘fire’.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”” (John 16:33)
Knowing Jesus can bring peace in our hearts, but not necessarily in our lives.
The peace we have comes from knowing that nothing can separate us from God’s love.
With Jesus I can experience the goodness of the God life more and more.
But it may also put a target on me, and expose me to those who don’t like it.
With his help I want to be a peace-bringer and not a fire-starter.
Fire and division may result, but I do not want to be the intentional cause of them!
PRAYER
Lord, I do not like the challenge of these words, but thank you for the comfort that surpasses it, and reminds me through my challenges that I am secure in God’s love.
Sin and evil separate us. Right at the beginning when we went our own way we could no longer walk with God – and we knew we were different – naked – and tension resulted. We suffer division even within our families – how the consequences of selfish living, bad choices separate us – and especially when it comes to believing. Jesus would have loved to ‘clean it all up’ so that his followers would not have to suffer – but he knew he had to go to the cross. One day though there will be the great separation of evil from good. Yes Jesus is bringing a division – many don’t realize the consequences – they need to hear the good news – to find the way so that they too may know ‘the way’ to Jesus. Help me to bring the good news in the face of bad consequences of evil.
Fire.
I remember the burning bush – God speaks.
I remember the tongues of fire – man speaks God’s word.
I remember the refining fore – God purifies.
I need to remember that His presence must be first in my life and I need to as far as it depends upon me be a peacemaker. That will also bring separation from people but never from the love of God.
[Verse 1]
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
[Chorus]
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
[Verse 2]
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within and make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin, deep within
[Chorus]
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Refiner’s fire
My heart’s one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will