Judgement Fire
Photo by Alex Padurariu on Unsplash.
When has the application of your faith in Jesus brought about conflict or division in your life as you went about living for him?
When we practice our faith and apply God’s word to our lives and live for him, there can be division and conflict. There can be fractured relationships between people who believe and people who do not believe in Jesus.
Jesus said that he came to bring the refining fire of his judgement, to divide what is good from what is evil and to do away with every impurity that is contrary to God’s kingdom.
In Luke’s gospel account Jesus said, “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” (Luke 12:49-51, ESV).
Jesus said that he came to bring this division. And while this division can be disruptive and anything but peaceful, the outcome is unity and peace with God and an eternity with no evil. This is why Jesus desired that this refiner’s fire of judgement was already kindled.
Jesus declared, “For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:52-53, ESV).
The practice of our faith—the obedient following of Jesus and his word—can cause all sorts of interpersonal conflicts and rifts between family, friends, and co-workers, acquaintances, and even strangers.
When our values are different than other people’s values there will be conflict and division. We can expect it. Jesus will purify our lives and his kingdom so that we will be at peace and unified in him.
May we expect the purifying judgement fires of God and the peace and the unity that we will experience by following Jesus.
A Prayer for the Human Family: “O God, you made us in your own image, and you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (#42., Book of Common Prayer, 2019).
Begin the month with a #dailydevotional. I have created a #devotional book for each month, a devotional for every day of the year, and offering them for #free by subscribing. Get a link to #Grow365: #August2022—A #Daily Devotional here: robbiepruitt.com.
Photo by Alex Padurariu on Unsplash.
