The author of Romans 8:14 writes: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” If we are the children of God, why are we so powerless? In 2nd Timothy 1:7, it says “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” In 2nd Timothy 3:1-5, Paul was describing for Timothy what mankind would be like in the last days. He detailed a long list of troubling characteristics, and ended it by referring to a large segment of true believers, who are saved for eternity, but not experiencing much of the abundant life available to them right now (John 10:10), because they do not acknowledge the very power they need.

When we get saved, we are not expected to just hold on for the rest of this life on earth, waiting for Heaven to fulfill us. No, eternal life began when we gave our heart to Jesus, and we can receive the gift of empowerment by the Holy Spirit in order for us to be overcomers here and now, and continuing throughout all eternity.

We are to fan the flame – stir up the gift that is in us by the Holy Spirit of God. “For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). The Bible has many other references tying together fire with the Spirit of God, or Angel of the Lord. Some examples are: Exodus 3:2, 24:17, and 40:38; and Leviticus 9:24.

We can diminish the fire of the Holy Spirit in our lives by failing in Christian actions and speech. Paul writes in 1st Thessalonians 5:12-22, “Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.”

The word fire brings to mind many different things including: power, purity, holiness, warmth, security, heat, illumination, flame, protection, renewal and zeal. In Luke 3:16, it says, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Fire cleanses us. So why do we have such a hard time loving one another?

Vernon Silver – Christ Follower