Wildfires over a span of 15 years burned down 10,000 homes by the end of 2000 AD. Of these 860 were family homes in the year 2000. The natural vegetation that burned down in 2002, was more than 6 million acres of forests and wildlife habitat. The fires in the West are supposedly burning hotter than they did before because of misguided management practices. Just the practice of trying to suppress forest fires has prevented ecologically beneficial fires from performing their apparent purpose of clearing dense brush and ground fuels. Felling of trees for sale has removed many of the fire-resistant old-growth trees and replaced them with trees that will burn down very quickly. Last but not least, climate changes due to global warming have resulted in longer fire seasons and droughts that cause tremendous pressure on the forests leading to fires.
We see fires in many parts of the world that cause damage to property and wildlife. It is so easy for things of this world to burn up fast. Poor judgment and self-indulgence of some people result in irreparable harm causing people to suffer enormously. However, those who are in Christ are part of the immovable Kingdom of God. When fires burn in our lives that we cannot control, our spirits are strengthened in the knowledge and love of God. Are our lives built on the physical and material things of this world or the spiritual?
St. Paul is calling us to live a life of peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ. He says we should strive hard to live lives that are clean and holy. By caring for one another we will not miss out on the special blessings that God has in store for us. He is cautioning us to watch out for the bitter roots of unbelief that spring up like weeds in a lush green meadow. For these are like poison that kills and corrupts our spiritual lives. Godlessness and immorality will lead us away from God.
In the Old Testament, fire was associated with the presence of God (Deuteronomy 4:24). A forest fire sometimes cannot be controlled even by the most sophisticated equipment. In the same way God's flame cannot be controlled by anything from this world. In the flames of God only that which is clean and holy will be preserved. So let our prayers and supplications to God be with tears of repentance that are not a consequence of bitter disobedience but sweet obedience in the eyes of God. For it is only Christ who can save us from the flaming fires of God by His grace, a free gift from God through Christ.
What are some of the fire resistant immovable possessions that will stand the test of the all consuming flames of the living God? What should be our real security in the life we live in Christ? What will protect us from the hotter flames of God that will burn us up if we continue to live lives that are misguided by the false and new age teachings of this world? Are we doing anything that is preventing us from drawing closer to the all consuming flames of God? Are we living in an environment that is causing us to change and pressurizing us to live immoral and sensual lives? Paul goes on to explain, a life that is pleasing to God is:-
1. Loving one another by doing good and sharing what we have with one another.
2. Showing hospitality to strangers.
3. Remembering the prisoners
4. Remembering those being tortured.
5. Living an honorable married life and preserving the sanctity of one's marriage vows.
6. Freeing ourselves from the love for money and strengthening our reliance on God.
7. Living a life of simplicity and contentment in what one has.
8. Remembering our spiritual leaders and their lives that we may be imitators of them.
9. Staying away from strange teachings and thoughts that may lead us astray.
10. Keeping a clear conscious, being full of joy, and continuously offering sacrifices of praise and worship to our living God.
Today we live lives that are selfish, careless, and insensitive. We have lost sight of the flame of God that burns so brightly through the lives of those who love and serve God. We should strive to lead lives that are filled with awe and reverence of the presence of the living God. We should share our lives with all those in need, so much so that their problems are our own. We should never forget that when Christ comes again, all things that were created will be completely burnt up. All of God's creation is transient. A spiritual life that is continuously offering sacrifices of loving service, joyful praise, and true worship to the living God is one that will remain fire resistant, immovable, and unshakable through the consuming flames of God.
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