Run For Your Lives
- May 18
- 6 min read
We are rapidly approaching wildfire season in America. This is a time where you will be able to see luxury cars and mansions owned by the upper echelon of society abandoned out of fear of fires that often engulf the spiritually and naturally dry places within the western parts of America. It is always such a breathtaking event, seeing material possessions that most have spent their entire lives acquiring become a complete afterthought at the appearance of a fire.
No matter how mesmerized we are when this annual event takes place, we completely understand the logic behind the abandonment of things that do not truly matter when our mere existence is at stake. Only a select few people would make the argument that they wouldn't flee from an upcoming wildfire that has a trajectory of coming their way while simultaneously destroying everything in its path.
Interestingly, God -- the Creator of heaven and earth, also considers Himself to be a consuming fire. We can see the physical manifestation of this spiritual reality in the hearts and lives of those who have been internally scorched by that fire. We see that those who have truly been submerged into that consuming fire have completely let go of the concept and rationale of a normal life.
37 As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For just as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, [men] marrying and [women] being given in marriage, until the [very] day when Noah went into the ark, 39 And they did not know or understand until the flood came and swept them all away—so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Matthew 24:37-39 AMPC
We see in the story above that Noah was preparing for a flood, but he himself had already experienced the fire that comes from God. Thus, he was counted worthy to escape God's upcoming judgement because he had already excused himself from the desires and pursuits of this world. Contrary to the natural wild-fire that we run from, once a person has experienced an encounter with the divine fire, they are eager to abandon everything including life itself. This theme continues in many aspects as the ways of the Kingdom of Heaven are completely opposite from the ways of this world.
44 The kingdom of heaven is like [a]something precious buried in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field. 45 Again the kingdom of heaven is like a man who is a dealer in search of fine and [b]precious pearls, 46 Who, on finding a single pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46 AMPC
As we look around the world today, many nations are currently ablaze as a result of meaningless wars influenced by the pride and selfishness of the dictators and presidents who run them. We would think twice before heading to a nation that is currently at war with another nation. However, we are not be phased at the thought of dwelling inside of a nation that is constantly at war with God Himself. How can we say we truly fear God while peacefully residing in a nation that doesn't? Is God satisfied with a mere discontent on our faces as we proceed on with normal life? Or does the God of fire long for that same burning passion to exist amongst those who profess to know Him?
136 Streams of water run down my eyes, because men do not keep Your law [they hear it not, nor receive it, love it, or obey it]. 137 [Rigidly] righteous are You, O Lord, and upright are Your judgments andall expressions of Your will. Psalm 119:136-137 AMPC
4 And the Lord said to him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in the midst of it. 5 And to the others He said in my hearing, Follow [the man with the ink bottle] through the city and smite; let not your eye spare, neither have any pity. 6 Slay outright the elderly, the young man and the virgin, the infant and the women; but do not touch or go near anyone on whom is the mark. Begin at My sanctuary. So they began with the old men who were in front of the temple [who did not have the Lord’s mark on their foreheads]. 7 And He said to [the executioners], Defile the temple and fill its courts with the slain. Go forth! And they went forth and slew in the city. 8 And while they were slaying them and I was left, I fell upon my face and cried, Ah, Lord God! Will You destroy all that is left of Israel in Your pouring out of Your wrath and indignation upon Jerusalem? Ezekiel 9:4-8 AMPC
Is this not the ploy of the enemy, to rock us to sleep in complacency and lukewarmness? We must wake up and realize that if we sit comfortably in the midst of people who are not burning from that consuming fire, we are probably not on fire for God ourselves.
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial ? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 2 Corinthians 6:14-17 AMPC
There is a natural fire and a spiritual one but their outward manifestation looks similar: The detachment of things of this world and prioritising of life itself more than any and every thing else.
The interesting thing is that someone who has been touched by a fire should have noticeable burns. If we see someone who professes to have been burned in a fire without their appearance being disfigured we would question their testimony. Similarly, those who have truly been engulfed in the flames of Christ would have an appearance to those on the outside world that is completely disfigured.
13 Behold, My [a]Servant shall deal wisely and shall prosper; He shall be exalted and extolled and shall stand very high. 14 [For many the Servant of God became an object of horror; many were astonished at Him.] His face and His whole appearance were marred more than any man’s, and His form beyond that of the sons of men—but just as many were astonished at Him, 15 So shall He startle and sprinkle many nations, and kings shall shut their mouths because of Him; for that which has not been told them shall they see, and that which they have not heard shall they consider and understand. Isaiah 52:13-15 AMPC
We see this to be true in the death Jesus Christ Himself. His outward appearance was so marred to where he looked completely unrecognisable because of the fire that he had internally and eternally. We see that His outward appearance was just a natural manifestation of what had already taken place spiritually. If that same fire truly does exist within us, we cannot maintain a natural appearance to a fallen world. We must wake up. A nation that is at war with God will never have peace even if there is a proclamation of peace and safety.
3 When people are saying, All is well and secure, and, There is peace and safety, then in a moment unforeseen destruction (ruin and death) will come upon them as suddenly as labor pains come upon a woman with child; and they shall by no means escape, for there will be no escape. 4 But you are not in [given up to the power of] darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief. 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we do not belong either to the night or to darkness. 6 Accordingly then, let us not sleep, as the rest do, but let us keep wide awake (alert, watchful, cautious, and on our guard) and let us be sober (calm, collected, and circumspect). 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But we belong to the day; therefore, let us be sober and put on the breastplate (corslet) of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:3-8 AMPC
Question of the day: Which fire will engulf you ?
