Monday, 3 May 2021

God is a consuming fire

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I continue to be inspired by A.W. Tozer's 2 volume set, "The Attributes of God." One of His attributes describes Him as a consuming fire. Isaiah 33:14 "Sinners in Zion are afraid. Trembling has seized the godless: Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with everlasting burnings?"

Wait a minute ... I thought that was about who is going to hell. It clearly says "sinners are afraid." Yet the next verse of Isaiah 33 is full of revelation. It answers the question, "Who among us can live with the consuming fire?" Isaiah 33:15 "One who walks righteously, and speaks uprightly, who refuses unjust gain by extortion, who shakes his hands free of bribes, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from looking on evil."

The only way to live in the presence of God is to be dead (to self) before you get there. Mark 8:35 "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the sake of the Good News will save it." If we have died to self, the fire cannot touch us.

God makes promises to those who have laid their lives down. The metaphor for this sacrificial life is to take up your cross daily ... Luke 14:27 "Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple." The promise is here ... Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Surely I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

God appeared as fire on Mt. Sinai and the people ran away in fear. Yeshua is coming again ... Luke 12:49 "I came to pour out fire on the earth, and how I wish it were

already ablaze!" Just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we will be tossed into the fiery furnace, but we, who follow Him, will be dancing with Yeshua and will not be burned. God is a consuming fire, but He will not consume the faithful.