A CONSUMING FIRE

 

Jesus is our perfect pattern in all things good. In John 2:17, He is seen to fulfill the prophetic word of Psalm 69:9 in His consuming zeal for the house of God.   It is a startling portrait of Christ’s holy passion for His Father’s house. 

Do we have a zeal for God’s house?

I fear there are only a few scattered embers glowing in a few places—and that most “worship” services have the appearance of ashes. Once a fire burned there, but it went cold a long time ago. Revival happens when someone stirs the ash, finds a hot coal buried there, the breath of God blows upon it, and we fuel it with our prayers. It is then the fire can be rekindled. How I long to see it!

Or do I?

If revival tarries then it is not the fault of God. Nor can I point to the godless environment around me, though the world indeed seeks to water any spark. I can rightfully scorn the false fires where carnal Christians mistake emotionalism for a deep work of repentance that is needed.  But to make that the focus is to miss the coldness in my own heart. 

Will it start in the pulpit?

If the preacher does not have a consuming passion for the house of God, then it is unlikely anyone in the congregation will. I think of a chorus I heard many years ago, and invite you to make this your plea:

My eyes are dry
My faith is old
My heart is hard
My prayers are cold

And I know how I ought to be
Alive to You and dead to me

But what can be done
For an old heart like mine
Soften it up
With oil and wine
The oil is You, Your Spirit of love
Please wash me anew

With the wine of Your Blood. (Keith Green)

PREACHER, HOW IS YOUR LOVE LIFE?

When I ask, “How is your love life?” I am not referring to the romantic relationship with your wife—important as that is. My question is drawn from our Lord’s accusation against the church at Ephesus, “you have left your first love” (Rev.2:4).   While it was addressed to the church as a whole, the first one to see it and need to apply it was the “angelos,” (Rev.2:1a), the messenger and pastor of that local assembly.  While he would not bear sole responsibility for the degree of the church’s passion for Christ, he would carry a significant role in it.

Jesus is vitally interested in His pastors—the stars He holds in His hand—and vigilantly involved with His churches—the lampstands He walks among (Rev.2:1b).  His focus with Ephesus—beginning with her pastor—was not what they believed in their heads, or did with their hands, but what they lacked in their hearts.  

There was CHRIST’S COMMENDATION. The church—and I would assume the preacher—had many commendable qualities. Jesus acknowledges their dedicated activity and doctrinal fidelity (Rev.2:2-3,6).  We must attend to those.

But, then came CHRIST’S CONFRONTATION. They left their first love. It does not say they lost it, but left it. It was not accidental, but willful. Life is full of choices. Little by little we can immerse ourselves in church business and forget our primary duty, to love God with all our being and our neighbor as ourself.  Labor without love leads to haughtiness: “Look what I have done compared to you!”  Doctrine without devotion leads to harshness: “You do not believe like I do!”  It is not a question of either/or but both/and.  Old Vance Havner said, “You can be straight as a gun barrel theologically and empty as one spiritually!”

We conclude with CHRIST’S CALL (Rev.2:5,7).  “Remember,” the first love and recall those early days when the romance of redemption was a fire inside you. “Repent,” and rekindle that flame. Do it, “or else,” Christ will come and turn the lights out in the church house. If but one member of the church will respond, then Christ can bring revival to that church—and the foremost person in need of repentance could be the man in the pulpit!  May God use this text as a spiritual x-ray to disclose our heart condition!  Now, if you will excuse me, I have something to do—to tend to my soul!

“He who has an ear to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”