“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” Jesus Christ,  Matthew 5:14

Fire is Light

When Jesus lived on Earth, there were no light bulbs. The only light that people had came from fire. Oil lamps, candles, torches and bonfires. 

When Jesus said, Ye are the light of the world, He was talking about fire.

Fire is Life

One of my favorite short stories is Jack London’s, To Build a Fire.  It’s about a man above the Arctic Circle who desperately needs to keep his fire alive so he does not freeze to death. 

Christians are the fire of the world. Through Christ we keep people alive by His fire, His love, His gospel, and His life.

Fire is Hot

Jesus warns us of being lukewarm. Jesus has not given us life to shine dimly. To follow Christ is to be on fire for Him. To believe in Christ means to shine brightly for Him.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

Fire is Everywhere

When morning guilds the sky, the fire of sun heats the Earth. It lights up our globe, every inch of it, everyday. It gives life to plants, which pass on their life to all mammals. The fire of the sun keeps us alive.

Followers of Christ are everywhere. To reach the world, we need to turn up the heat. The world needs to see His light, and feel the heat of His love. We are to remind the world of the fervent, intense compassion Christ embodies. He was born to save the world. He gave Himself for our sins. He died and rose again to save us all from hell, which is the fire that is never quenched.

That’s why His name is Savior.

Fire is Mysterious

Moses was drawn to the burning bush. Kids are amazed at a campfire. Everyone loves a fireplace on a snowy day. Why? Because it’s beautiful, warm, and mysterious. Just like God.

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

1 Timothy 3:16

Fire is Dangerous

Don’t play with fire, it’s not safe. Don’t mess around with God. When He offers you eternal life through the death of His Son, you had better take Him seriously.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

For our God is a consuming fire.

Isaiah 1:18 & Hebrews 12:29

Fire is Extreme

We have firemen employed around the clock just in case a little fire gets out of control. It’s explosive, it’s powerful, and it can cause great pain to a person. Wildfires devour huge tracts of land. Read this interesting juxtaposition of destruction and tenderness:

For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:5, 6

Extreme, isn’t it? From destruction to salvation. Jesus Christ has come to light a fire. Let His love burn bright for all to see.

We are the fire of the world. Let’s light it up, for Christ.