THE CONSUMING FIRE

07/01/2023

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:28-29).

There is immutability about our King and the cause of His Kingdom, which requires that we pay attention. Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." Our God may be entreated as a Person, but in His office as the sovereign of the Universe, there are laws that are as immutable as gravity. 

In today's theme scripture, we are admonished to approach the sovereignty of God, our King, with the grace that allows us to serve Him reverently and with godly fear. So that we do not run afoul of His sovereignty, in the context of which, He is a consuming fire. The import of this revelation is that there are boundaries where the mercies of God, as much as they endure forever, do not extend. Certain things are unpardonable, and it is important as believers to be mindful of these things. 

In Matthew 12:31, Jesus said, "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men." Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the attribution of the glory of the work of the Holy Spirit to anything or anyone other than God the Father. Hear me, the Holy Spirit is not even interested in receiving glory, but as a member of the Godhead, His primary focus is the glorification of the Father. John 16:13 says, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." The Holy Spirit is thus grieved when people attribute the glory of the Father to someone else. 

Another unpardonable sin is accepting the worship of men in the place of God. Acts 12:20-23 says, "Now Herod had been very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon; but they came to him with one accord and having made Blastus the king's personal aide their friend, they asked for peace because their country was supplied with food by the king's country. So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. The people repeatedly cried out, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" Then immediately, an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died." The angel was jealous for the sovereignty of God and immediately had to enforce judgment. In this regard, never let anything get into your head enough to receive worship from human beings. When at Lystra, people tried to worship Paul and Barnabas for the miracles that were wrought, the men immediately deflected from receiving the glory due to God (see Acts 14:11-13). No matter how deep your theology, consider yourself in the same class as God the Father and never claim His glory. Yes, He shares glory with us, but that is His prerogative, not ours. Be careful. 

Lastly, if a Christian willfully renounces the sovereignty of God over his or her life, that one becomes accursed. Now you may ask how can a child of God renounce the sovereignty of God. Hebrews 6:4-6 says, "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame."

In a nutshell, these three things provoke the immediate judgment that the sovereignty of God represents, and all three bother outside the jurisdiction of divine mercy, which is why caution is admonished. Today's theme scripture, therefore, warns us to operate within the grace that is available, concerning the sovereign of our Kingdom, for our God is a consuming fire.

Faith Filled Confession

I am careful to operate with fear and reverence as it pertains to my sovereign King, the Lord Jesus Christ. I walk in grace toward His divine majesty such that I ascribe every glory that is due to His name at all times and in circumstances so that only He is glorified by my life. Hallelujah!

One-Year Reading Plan: Job 19-20; Acts 9:23-43

FOR MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL IN YOUR CITY

1 Corinthians 16:9, "For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. "

Colossians 1:9-10 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Thank God for all our Pastors and their families, that they are reference points in their families, sources of inspiration and motivation in all things and for all times.

Pray and thank the Lord for ministers of the Gospel in your city. Proclaim that they are continually blessed, and they all fulfill the ministry the Lord has called them to. 

Pray for ministers facing health, financial, and family challenges. Proclaim that they will experience God's divine favor and intervention and that there is a change in that situation. 

Pray that through them, the Word of God continues to grow and prevail in the nations of the world, and billions of souls are added to the Kingdom.

Declare that they hold fast to their calling, living in and by the Word, irrespective of circumstances, that they may finish their course with joy, bringing glory to the Father in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray also and intercede for ministers who have lost their way, who have strayed from the truth, church, and fellowship of other believers; break off satan's influence and deception from their minds and declare that they are restored and walk in the light truth.