Fire that Works

The 4th of July has passed and many of us celebrated the holiday with fireworks. Maybe you attended a spectacular fireworks show or enjoyed fireworks in your own backyard. The sights and sounds of fireworks are powerful and captivating. Well guess what? We as Christian also should be powerful and captivating, because we have a Fire that Works.

I’m talking about the Holy Spirit! John the Baptist declared in Matthew 3:11, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” The fulfillment of John the Baptist’s prophesy is seen in Acts 2:3-4, “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

How great it is to have a Fire that Works – the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. How is the Holy Spirit a Fire that Works?

Have you ever warmed yourself by fireplace on a cold winter night? A fire on a cold night can warm the body, but it is only the Holy Spirit that warms the soul. Life can be cold, filled with disappointments, hurt, betrayal, death, sickness, and hardships, but it is the Holy Spirit that will warm the believer during these times. John 14:26 calls the Holy Spirit, “The Comforter.” The Holy Spirit is a Fire that Works in comforting the believer. Not only does the Holy Spirit comforts us; the Holy Spirit empowers us!

We have a Fire that Works, indwelling in us, that empowers us! The Holy Spirit convicts us when we are wrong and then empowers us to do right. In our own efforts to live holy we would fail miserably.

Not only can we boldly live holy lives, we are empowered to carry our cross. Many times the cross you are required to bear, is linked to your spiritual gift, granted to you by the Holy Spirit. Our gifts are powerful to the church. The gifts of the Holy Spirit further the kingdom of God. Therefore, it is imperative that we use our gifts and bear our cross.

There are days we may not want to bear our cross or use our gifts. Sometimes we are tired and life is hard; therefore, we should embrace the Holy Spirit. Don’t try to bear your cross without the Holy Spirit, you will find yourself exhausted and weak. Ephesians 4:30 instructs us, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” Why grieve or resist the Holy Spirit when it is the Fire that Works?

If we would rely on the Holy Spirit, we would be powerful and captivating, like fireworks. The world would have to take notice of our Fire that Works!