Getting Fireproofed
See the flame, simple and pure in purpose, it exists only to
burn.
Imagine a pine forest ablaze in the night, tongues of flame
licking at the dark sky. With the warm air rising up bringing with it smoke and
fiery embers, glowing sparks each consuming all life in its path, a wave of
merciless blazing heat. What is this forest fire? It is evil, corruption of what
is good and right, as intended in creation.
This fire is not a forest of trees, brush, and grass. It is a single pine
needle, blade of grass, or leaf and petal of flower, once beautiful giving its
every essence, but unwillingly, as an accomplice. As a forest fire can be shown
to be a collection of small fires, a piece of bark or pine cone burning, so are
people, each one doing and being consumed. Like the blade of grass, a person is
vulnerable when someone near is engulfed, losing their life to feed the flame's
never ending desire to consume, and another soul is lost.
While in this world we are vulnerable to the evil waiting its chance to consume
us. God is all around us but we must choose our creator's protection from the
flames. Through Christ we can receive a fireproof suit, or spiritual union with
God. It was for this plan of salvation that the son of God would be sacrificed
reuniting those who admit their sinful nature and repent by confessing
transgression to God and turning away from the lure of evil's flame. It is sad
that we are easily burned, leading to self-destruction in this world and eternal
separation from our creator.
The fireproof suit offered by God's plan to reunite us in spiritual wholeness
and love does not mean we will never sin again in this world but it does mean as
adopted children of God we can be forgiven.
What is this sin? It is choosing to live separated from our creator by our
spiritual and behavioral choices. By choosing to follow the world rather than
the creator we turn our back on God, God's gift of spiritual salvation through
the sacrifice of Christ, an unearned opportunity to start over.
It is true that we are all God's creation, but only through acceptance of the
son of God's sacrifice in his crucifixion and his resurrection do we become
God's adopted children. Those who do not will remain the world's firewood. "Dear
friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made
known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see
him as he is." 1 John 3:2 NIV.
Being a Christian is choosing to be reunited with our Creator through Jesus
Christ.
To know God we must pray through Jesus Christ, our Savior and redeemer.
Meaningful prayers:
Dear Lord, I am a sinner, please forgive me, teach me, and lead in your many
ways as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Dear Lord, I pray for your guidance, so that my path remains straight, so that
my faith remains true, and so that I serve not myself but you. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Our Lord's time is near and now is the time to get that Bible and read beginning
with the New Testament. Sincerely seek the truth with openness and you will grow
spiritually and gain comfort in these troubling times. God's hand is held out
for us and all we need to do is grasp it; so praise God, for our Lord's blessing
and forgiveness for transgressions is ours. Take God's hand and walk in peace,
knowing always of your place which was promised. Pray always, confessing sin to
the Lord and to strengthen your relationship with God, study the Bible,
associate with others who love God in fellowship, and trust in the Lord's
promise of salvation through forgiveness.
Bible quotes are from the New International Version translation.
It is strongly suggested that you use also the King James Version translation
for study and verse/chapter comparison for better understanding. Bible students
do well using both together.
Copyright 1997-2009, William Timothy Giles