As yesterday literally transitioned to today, I was writing about fire, and indulged myself by way of just going with the flow. We sort of enjoyed it, didn’t we? We ended up with a beautiful revelation of the seemingly ‘flammable’ righteousness of the Lord – That is, it’s cleanliness that does not get unclean, but gives cleanliness to the unclean… and as such, it is a flame that burns brighter and stronger than all the fires of this life.
It may turn out to be the message I share this Sunday, unless nothing else comes up. However, I would not be respecting myself if I didn’t recall the original train of thought on the matter of fire. That’s right, I started with fire and ended up writing something else entirely.
No, what you don’t know is that before I even went out on a walk to meditate, and was brought to the nature of fire, I overheard a video my Mom was listening to as she was in the kitchen; This video piqued my interest because we’re so used to listening to how we in the body of Christ suffer persecution, but we rarely hear about how those who have gone before us (who say they were part of the body of Christ) have done some persecuting themselves, in the name of God.
Of course, we’re led to remember the supposed atrocities of the Crusades, and those of the Inquisition… but what was mentioned in that video in particular was how our Christian ancestors actually played a part in the destruction of one of the so-called ancient Seven Wonders of the World – the Library of Alexandria.
Apparently it was part of other temples and libraries, supposedly containing texts of knowledge as we were taught to believe… But I wouldn’t be surprised if they also contained occultic and ultimately anti-Christian knowledge as well – why else would our brethren find cause not merely to destroy, but to burn not just the manuscripts, but the entire Library?
And that’s where the story of the folks in Acts 19 came to mind – You know, the ones who came to believe in Christ and eventually burned their books of the magic arts, with an estimated value of 50000 pieces of silver.
The original thought I had in mind was that, these folk thought the best thing to do was not merely to destroy the documents and the manuscripts, but to burn them all. They weren’t just neutral knowledge that would weigh our minds down, but evil knowledge that would work against us.
It still remains true that the Lord works all things for the good of those who love them and are called according to their purpose. But yesterday, I guess I was reminded that the good and best thing to do for some things, is to just burn them. To destroy them, totally.
I felt strongly about this yesterday, in particular, when I realized that even as I approach the big four-O, there are still old mindsets, old ways of the flesh that persist, not only to serve as dead weight, but to actively tear me down: Mindsets that, without any intention for me to elaborate, still prioritize my immediate pleasure and relief at the price of myself, and/or others.
I wanted these old mindsets, and this works of the flesh not only gone, but burned away.
And I attempted to bring all of this together by way of remembering Christ and His finished work… But then again, we settled that Christ wasn’t burned, and Christ’s crucifixion ushered in more than just absolution (freedom from sin), but a two-part salvation – freedom from sin AND freedom into righteousness.
But I guess that’s the thing – We were united by way of Christ’s death, revived and recreated by way of Christ’s resurrection, but it was at Christ’s ascension that we were reconciled – That is, we ascended with Christ to the heavens, and the Holy Spirit’s descent was proof and manifestation of our salvation… and it just so happens, that this Holy Spirit manifested Himself in the upper room… as fire.
This is all for me to say that while we would certainly be doing ourselves some good by way of burning our own ‘manuscripts and books’; that is, of things that would actively harm us, the Source – or, the Fire that burns in us – is no less than the Holy Spirit Himself.
As someone who participates in a church that identifies itself as Pentecostal, I believe this was the expected result of my thinking on this. But I think it’s in line with our walk with Christ, no matter what denomination we say we’re part of, IF we say we’re part of any denomination at all:
Apollos may water, and some other dude may plant the seed, but the Lord gives the growth. Could it also be that we may strike the flint, and some other dude may lay the kindling, but the Lord gives the flame?
Either way, if I’m to look at this in the light of all we’ve been talking about this year so far – with it being a Year where we Trust in the Lord – Apparently, we’re not only trusting the Lord with our plans and our ways; We look to Him in things we start, but we would also do well in acknowledging Him in all that we want to end.
And it seems the answer has already been stated for us – Whether it’s in our mind to build something, or to burn something down, the Holy Spirit – the tongue of fire resting upon our heads – convicts this world of sin, convicts the evil one of judgment, but convicts us in Christ… of righteousness.
I may be chomping at the bit to build some pretty big bonfires… but I take a step back, knowing that the flame, the Holy Spirit would be the One to guide me to all Truth.
He leads me into the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
He establishes my thoughts.
He directs my paths.
I am thankful, today, for Christ – by His ascension, I have a Friend closer to me than anyone else. We have a Friend, our Holy Spirit.
To God be all the glory, forever.
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