Getting involved with God

Step into the Fire

Too many of us have quenched the Spirit by simply not stepping into the fire. We have effectively watered down the reality of our need to become a whole burnt offering before God. Colossians 3:5 says, “Put to death your members which are here on earth.” We are to put to death all that remains alive in our flesh (the carnal man). Therefore, a death must take place in us before we can become a burnt offering - wholly acceptable to God. Ephesians 5:2 states, “An offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.”

Our heavenly Father longs for a generation who will passionately embrace Him “in the fire.” People who are prepared to step into the fire and embrace Him with the same intensity that He has embraced them! But this requires that a death comes about – a death to self – for only dead wood burns. You have a high calling in God, so there is actually nothing for you to hold back for. As you examine yourself, and repent of past errors or failings, you will be able to confidently step into the fire of God’s presence. In this place, everything that is offensive to God is quickly incinerated.

Here is a wonderful paradox – you must step into the fire in order to encounter it, and only then can you effectively sustain it. However, this will demand that a death to take place continually, because only dead wood burns. Notice, each time you put “self” to death, you add fuel to the flame. When John Wesley was asked what he thought contributed most to the success of his ministry he answered, “I set myself alight and people come to watch me burn.” Therefore, if you are serious about experiencing the flame of God’s presence, you must be prepared to die. What you put on the altar to burn (before God) attracts others to its glorious flame.

When Moses asked God if he could see His face, the Lord answered, “No man can see My face and live.” Maybe God was implying that only dead people can see God! Or, more likely, only dead flesh can dwell in the presence of God. Why? Because God wants to meet with you in His Holy Fire. Where you can be totally consumed. Then, and only then, will you see Him!

Deuteronomy 4:24 says, “For the Lord you God is a consuming fire.” In the midst of persecution Jeremiah received God’s fire and was able to start speaking God’s word with boldness... “His word is in my heart like a burning fire, a fire shut up in my bones which I am weary of holding it back; indeed, I cannot” (Jeremiah 20:9).

By stepping into the fire we become a furnace of fresh anointing, and even our words become life holy fire, inflaming all who hear them. So remember, in the fire, every experience you have with God cannot dwindle or burn out. Exodus 3:2 confirms this, “There, the angel of the Lord appeared in the flames of fire from within the bush and Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up.”

Jesus also spoke of living in the fire. However, He put it a little different, In Matthew 10:38 and 39 He said, “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Turn with me know to Exodus 33 and let’s read verses 8 to 11 together... Notice that every one except Joshua watched Moses go into the tabernacle from afar off, and then only after the glory cloud had descended did they worship God. And each from his tent door.

I believe that the reason why Joshua was elected to take over from Moses, and become such a great leader, was because he did not want to depart from the Lord’s presence. Joshua desired to live in the fire!

Do you want to live in the fire? Would you like to be set ablaze with God’s glory? So much so that others will come to watch you burn! Well, this requires that you put the flesh under and pick up your cross. Matthew 26:41 and Mark 14:38 both declare, “The spirit indeed is wining, but the flesh is weak.”

Stepping into the fire is not easy. It takes courage, resolve and determination. Romans 8:13 tells us how it is possible, “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.”

Neil Davis, 20/01/2008