Fire

Are you on fire or warming yourself by the world's fire?

When Jesus was to be crucified, Peter denied Him three times. As with every other thing in His life, Jesus saw this coming.

" Jesus said to him, 'Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.' "- Matthew 26:34

Let me try to set the scene. Jesus has just been arrested and is on his way to the high priest. Simon Peter and another disciple follow Jesus to the courtyard of the high priest. The other disciple enters along with Jesus, and Peter stays outside with the very people who wanted to have Jesus crucified.

"Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself." - John 18:18

The other disciple even speaks to the lady standing at the gate and brings Peter in, and the lady says "are you not one of the disciples of Jesus?" (I'm paraphrasing) and Peter says "I am not". Then he goes and stands by the fire to stay warm. This was the first time out of three that he denies Jesus.

Every time I read this I'm shocked. How could Peter do such a thing? But then I think about myself, and Peter doesn't look so bad. At least he knew all three times he denied Jesus, I can't even count the times I have denied Him. How many times did I have to be called before I finally answered? How many times have I been so arrogant to not make time for Him? I don't want to start counting.

We can either choose to heat ourselves by the fire of the world or be lit on fire by the Word. I prefer the latter.

Romans 12:11 says " Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord. "

Seems pretty straightforward. You have to be ready to go all in. You won't regret it. Be a burning bush. Be a city on a hill. Be so undeniably on fire for Christ that everyone around you can see you ooze His goodness. If you're on fire, the more likely the people around you will catch on fire. That's revival.

Either way, you need to make up your mind. Either be on fire, or don't bother, because we know God doesn't appreciate lukewarm Christians.

Revelation 3:16 " So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth."

So, I'll ask again, are you on fire or warming yourself by the world's fire?

Are you doing things to please the people around you? Things that make you "cool" or "the life of the party" or are you doing things to please God? You can serve Jesus and still be cool. You can praise the Lord and still have fun.

Makes you even cooler I think, but the choice is yours.