November 28, 2008

Learn: To Burn

Sometimes using your ability to focus, to turn to something is not the answer. Sometimes you have to use flame.

There is some stuff in your life that probably has to go. Fire sale time. You do not want to, but there may be family, friends, relationships, careers, habits, hobbies or dreams that are just getting in between you and Jesus. You have to get anything in the middle of you two out of there. Quickly. If you cannot move them out of the direct line of sight to Jesus and still keep them in your life, they have to go.

If so, the sooner, the better.

"But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." 2 Peter 3:7 (NASB)

If it is all going to burn anyway, isn't it better that you be the one to burn out of your heart all that which is keeping you from Jesus?

"If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:15 (NASB)

I'd rather get rid of it now, then get to the end all smoky and soot blackened because I built out of things He did not place any value in. As I said in the last post, I need to learn to yearn for what He values. Why is that? Go back a few verses:

"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid,which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work." 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 (NASB)

Learn to burn because it is going to happen sooner or later. Learn to burn, but also learn to build with the imperishable so that it withstands the fire.






1 comment:

Laurie M. said...

Very true. And as Paul puts it, "If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live." Rom.8:13.