PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• When it comes to descriptions of God, “a consuming fire” paints a vivid image.
But God is a loving God, and the description of Him as a consuming fire is based on His perfect holiness.
Several passages in Scripture refer to being tested by a refiner’s fire.
1 Peter 1:7 discusses our faith being tested by fire…
1 Corinthians 3:13 discusses our works being tested by fire (though I always feel obligated to add the footnote when we discuss good works — our actions won’t save us! Ephesians 2:8-9).
Because a refiner’s fire burns up impurities and leaves the valuable metal good for use, so will God’s consuming fire consume the unholy, leaving only the holy.
Our sin is the impurity that separates us from God.
And when we allow God’s consuming fire to burn through our lives and allow Him to filter out our sin, we can withstand the fire.
We can safely have a relationship with God because Jesus’ death and resurrection took care of our sin debt.
And all we need to do is repent, and let God refine us.
Today, as you pray, thank God for His holiness.
Thank Jesus for making it possible for you to be purified by God’s consuming fire.
