A couple of years back, I remember my husband explaining to one of our grandsons how to fix a weed eater. Through a process of elimination using different tools and guidelines the problem could be found. While watching this exhibition, I was reminded that our spiritual lives need the same things that a gasoline engine needs to function properly. It needs fuel, air, and fire. If any of these elements is not present, it will not run. Sometimes you can prime the engine with a little gasoline, and it may start and sputter for a minute, but without continued fuel, air, and fire it will stop.
What about us? If we are to be successful as Christians, we need to be tuned up and supplied with the right elements to survive and grow.
First, we must have the proper fuel. We need the word of God to begin this Christian walk.
Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Without faith, it is impossible to please God. No one can come to God without simple faith in Him.
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
We need the word as fuel to continue the Christian walk.
I Peter 2:2 “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
Notice we start out with milk, but then we are to grow. We are to move on to the meat of the word. We start out as babies, but we are to grow into adults spiritually!
Hebrews 5:12 “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For everyone that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”
The second element is air to keep our souls alive. No matter how much fuel you pour on fire it can’t burn without air. Our air is the moment-by-moment substance we get from God. We need to be conscious of the fact that our very breath is from Him. We need to be constantly aware of God’s presence in our lives. We need to have our minds fixed on Him and talk to him throughout the day.
Genesis 2:7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
Act 17:24-25 “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything, seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things;”
The third item on our list today is fire! When I think of fire in the life of the believer I think of the Holy Spirit, or the power of God. The Bible describes God as a consuming fire in Hebrews 12:29. This is even more reason that we should examine ourselves and make sure we are showing reverence. For our God is a consuming fire. It should not surprise us that God’s presence often is symbolized as fire. In Exodus 3:2, he was in the burning bush. In Exodus, he led His children through the wilderness as a pillar of fire by night. The fire provided light and guidance. Many times, in the Old Testament God uses fire as an instrument of His judgment. The fire was very important in the Old Testament sacrifices. The fire of the Lord was to stay lit in the tabernacle.
As New Testament believers the Holy Spirit is associated with fire. When the Holy Spirit was given He appeared as cloven tongues of fire resting on each believer.
Fire represents the Holy Spirit in that it brings God’s presence, God’s passion, and God’s purity. Fire refines and purifies us as the Holy Spirit burns within us, to show us the areas of our lives that are not pleasing to God. Just as the silversmith uses fire to purge the dross from the precious metal, so God uses the Holy Spirit to reveal and remove our sin from us.
So, where are you lacking? Are you getting enough fuel daily to keep you going for God? Do you keep your supply fresh and add to it daily? There should not be a day that you don’t read something from God’s word. It is imperative, to grow and stay connected. Are you conscious moment by moment of the awesomeness of God? It is His breath that you breathe. We need to take a deep breath each day, and as the air goes in and comes out, remind ourselves of what an awesome God we have. What about the fire? Is it burning inside you, refining and purifying you? Are you responding to the Holy Spirit’s convicting power and changing, or have you thrown water on your fire, so you can stay comfortable with your pet sins? All of these questions must be answered if we are to stay close to God.
If you are not growing and glowing for the Lord, examine yourself to see where the problem lies in your spiritual life. Once the Holy Spirit reveals your areas where change is needed to please God, seek forgiveness and His help to change. He is waiting for you to call on Him.
I John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
