Directed Fire

I Thessalonians 4:4 ESV

That each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor.

“And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.” – Francis Scott Keyes, The Star Spangled Banner

This weekend we were blessed to celebrate once again the country God has given us as ambassadors to. It truly is a land and a people that has been blessed by God with natural beauty and resources. We have also been blessed with men and women willing to “stand between their lov’d homes and the war’s desolation” (Star Spangled Banner). It is a testament to the United States that we recognize that it holds true, when you are at war it is good to know that you are still judged a threat so the enemy is still shooting at you.

Dr. Steve Larson has quipped that “the problem with preachers today is that nobody wants to kill them anymore”. Referencing the Reformation when preachers like Luther, Calvin, and Knox were often the most wanted men in the area. Such was the life changing nature of what they preached. The Gospel preached toppled kingdoms and empires. Such is the nature of what happens when the word of God is let loose on a people. The burning nature of the Gospel unchained from works and mindless observance. As the reformation would take hold preachers and pastors would become enemy number one. Burned at the stake, maimed, mutilated, or any number of other atrocities against the Gospel of Christ. The preacher knows he is speaking rightly the word of God because it is going to hit toes and raw nerves. Such is the winnowing fork of God in the hearts of man.

It is a heart-breaking sight to watch as a boy loses control of himself. Unable to get off the train he simply pushes harder and yells louder only to find himself in greater difficulty, with more severe consequences. Reading through 1 Thessalonians Paul declares God’s will for your life, “your Sanctification”. He then fleshes that out a little more and one of the things he points out is the need for his children to “know how to control his body”, i.e., Self-Control. A fundamental aspect of our Christian walk is our ability to remain in control of ourselves, to delay gratification, and remain steadfast under the barrage of Satan who would preach “just do it”, and “you deserve it”. It is a small but significant battle for your soul. It is easy to grow weary of the fight. But be assured it is a necessary battle. The problem comes when Satan doesn’t have to tempt you any longer. Your flesh has been trained well enough and the world has encouraged you in your fall such that temptations are no longer needed. What then?

As Mr. Keyes so aptly said, the “the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still their”, In the darkest nights and the strongest storms we must take joy that we still stand and the enemy hates it. That slings and arrows are thrown against us. That the enemy still fears the Gospel preached from our mouths. May the day not come when we are so weak, compromised, and irrelevant, that Satan directs no fire at us.

CRUCE, DUM SPIRO, FIDO