by Barrett Vanlandingham
7-17-2022
These
days I don’t know anyone who is looking for things to be hotter, at least in the
weather department. All of us who are at Burnt Cabin Christian Camp this week
can certainly use all the prayers we can get for dealing with the heat.
On the other hand, we welcome heat for a lot
of other things. Take Peter’s words for example:
“In
this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been
grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more
precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to
result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1
Peter 1:6-7).
Peter uses
the word fire to describe the tough times we all go through in life. He
says the end result will be determined by whether we choose to cling more
closely to Christ when we go through the temptations and valleys of life. Peter
compares our faith to gold that is refined by heat. Keeping our faith during
the tough times will ultimately result in a celebration of honor and awe when
Jesus returns.
Paul told
Timothy how the heat reacts when we make poor choices. It not only doesn’t
strengthen us, but it can make things a lot worse for us!
“The
Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow
deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through
hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.”
(1 Tim. 4:1-2)
Paul was very concerned not only with false teaching, but
also with Christians who would get caught up in them, resulting in backsliding
in the faith, or partnering with or approval of those who are knowingly
engaging in sin (Romans 1:32 and Ephesians 5:7, 11).
The
fact is we all have influence on somebody.
And as followers of Jesus Christ we have a responsibility to lead people
in the right direction as they go through the heat refining process. Let us
never be guilty of acting as a hot iron that sears the consciences
impressionable souls. And may we always use
God’s word as our only authority (Galatians 1:8 and 2 Timothy 3:16) as we journey
through life and teach others by the things we say and do. Have a great week!