First the Fire Then the Glory

He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:11-12 (NIV)

God is a consuming fire. In Revelation, Jesus has eyes of fire. In Ezekiel, He sits on a throne of lapis lazuli and appears waist up as a flickering fire and waist down like a burning flame. Moses encounters God in a bush that burns yet remains intact. Elijah prays to God, who answers by fire. The Lord commands His angels that appear as chariots of fire.

The Fire that purifies and does no harm is the Holy Spirit. Jesus desires to baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Sanctification is a fancy word that means separation for the purposes of God. If you have wondered what God’s will is for your life-sanctification is the short answer. He does this through the fire of the Holy Spirit. What does he separate from you? Every sin and self-destructive habit that wounds you and those you love.

You are God’s original. He made you in His image. God did not create you to live in a fallen world, and yet you do because of Adam’s disobedience. Sin has marred you and impaired your perspective. You have lost your shine dulled by a world ruled by the devil. God made you for His glory with a purpose like no other. Holy Spirit will purge the dross from your heart. Sins that hold you captive and blind you to your identity in Christ cannot withstand the flame of God’s love for you. He will show you your sins, and as you release them to Him through confession and repentance, He will separate them from you and engulf them with unquenchable fire.

The lake of fire is where the devil will end and all his angels with Him. Sin belongs in the fire that destroys, but you belong in the fire of God’s love. Ask the Lord to reveal the sin that so easily besets you. What things of this life entangle you that you cannot live for God’s glory? When you cast your idols on the brazen altar of God, you will experience the pain of separation, but later, you will be glad, and your life will be better for it.