Walking With Christ

2 Timothy 1:6-7 (6)For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, (7)for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.(ESV)

Most Christians don’t really want to be on fire for the Lord because they are afraid of being consumed by the fire. I’m not sure if it’s fear of letting go, fear of surrender, fear of loss of control, fear of the unknown, or a twisted fear of no longer being who they think they are. Fire tends to be a very fast change. Within minutes what was is no more. It is forever and irreversibly changed. People tend to prefer a slower change. Our enemy works the slow way. Our Lord tends to work more immediately. When God said, “Let there be light!”, it didn’t take thousands of years for the light to obey. When God said, “Let there be land!”, it didn’t take millions of years for the bits to come together and fall into place. When Jesus said, “Lazarus, come out!”, Lazarus responded immediately, not weeks later. When you were saved, it didn’t take years for the sin to be washed away.

The sin was washed away, salvation is immediate, but the burden of that sin often remains and needs to be burned away. We live through a continuous process of refinement and renewal. All of our sin was washed away, but in Revelation we see that everything about our lives will be tested with fire. Anything that will be burned away then isn’t useful to us now. God’s fire isn’t an all consuming thoughtless monster bent in total destruction. No, God’s fire will only burn away what isn’t needed. It removes what hinders us, helping us to walk freely in His purpose. What is left behind is pure and blameless in the eyes of the Lord. Fan the gifts you’ve received into a flame now and be free of the burdens of worthless things. Fan the flames through daily prayer, immersion in God’s word daily, and stepping out in faith to use the gifts God gave you.

Here are a few verses to fan the flames:
1. John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.(ESV)
a. John the Baptist acknowledges the necessity of elevating Christ above oneself, highlighting the importance of prioritizing God’s will over personal desires.
2. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.(ESV)
a. This verse underscores the transformation that occurs when we surrender our lives to Christ, allowing His presence to guide and empower us.
3. Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.(ESV)
a. Paul expresses that his existence is centered on Christ, indicating that true life and purpose are found in Him.
4. Matthew 16:24-25 (24)Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (25)For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.(ESV)
a. Jesus teaches that self-denial and commitment to Him lead to discovering true life and purpose.
5. 2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.(ESV)
a. This verse highlights the ongoing transformation and growth we experience as we focus on God, becoming more like Him and reflecting His glory.