Our God is a consuming fire
Hebrews 12:29
At that time, when God commanded the children of Israel, was the mountain shrouded in smoke, fire, darkness and whirlwind. The trumpet droned and the sound was unbearable. Moses became anxious. The holiness of God exceeds all our perceptions, we react with anxiety and horror. God is so mighty- and we are so small. He is so magnificent, bright and beautiful – and we are so restricted, unholy and dark… the difference is simply for us unbearable.
The new covenant is even mightier than the old. The holiness, might and glory of Jesus is greater than the appearance of God on the mountain. Yes, our God is an all-consuming fire.
We can only react appropriately, by bowing before him and accepting his grace for us. We cannot afford even the smallest unholiness in His presence. He wants to live in us, how should we be able to continue to live unholy.
Now just as then we still like to compromise. We are not as bad as the others…We do take the bible serious…only in a few aspects to we assume a little exception for us…We don’t really lie, we just don’t tell the whole truth…We do not gossip about our boss, we just repeat what others are saying…We forgive everything, just a few things we would like to remember…We don’t judge, but there are things that need to be said…We often lack humbleness in dealing with our brothers and sisters. Bitterness often reigns our heart. We kill time with all kinds of things. Does God, who is an all-consuming fire, likes everything we do? He wants us to be hot or cold, but not luke-warm. Leave the grey area, be in the light or the dark! DO not stretch between two things like the people in Elijah’s times, who wanted to dance on two weddings.
He is holy. We want also to be holy, and he will gladly cleanse us if we want. But do not play any more with the mercy of God.
He is a consuming fire. If you want, his fire will burn all those things inside of you that do not please Him. And then will you burn for Him, the living God.
Jesus, I do not want to play any more with your grace. It cost your life to deliver me. And now I want to totally follow you. Forgive my half measure, my unholiness and my semi-darkness, Fill me with your spirit, that he in me will uncover were I do not please or obey you. Fill me with this consuming cleansing fire. I want to totally belong to you.