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THE FIRE BURNING WITHIN
Tom Moore
Jeremiah is one of the great prophets of the Old
Testament. At times, this honorable seer is referred to as the “weeping
prophet,” because of the heartfelt messages he proclaimed.
“And if I say, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any
more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning
fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with forbearing, and I
cannot contain” (Jeremiah 20:9). These words were uttered
in a time of great turmoil and ridicule as a result of Jeremiah’s
preaching. The Seer informs us that he was trying to keep God’s
word to himself, to ease his woes, but found that the woes within
him only increased. Jeremiah could not help but proclaim God’s
word because of the fire burning within him. God’s word in
Jeremiah was like a fire burning in a wooden box — it just
wouldn’t stay in.
Nearly seven hundred years later, Peter and John
were preaching the word of God and the priests and Sadducees became
very angry at the apostle’s teaching. As a result, Peter and
John were thrown into prison, and on the following day were threatened
and told not to preach any more in the name of Christ. “But
Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it is right
in the sight of God to hearken unto you rather than unto God, judge
ye: for we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard”
(Acts 4:19-20). These courageous apostles informed those who had
threatened them that God’s word was burning with in them and
they could not be kept from proclaiming the blessed word of God.
Jeremiah, Peter, and John all had something we need a little more
of — A FIRE BURNING WITHIN!
There are too many Christians who no longer have,
or who have never had a fire burning within. Too many are allowing
“any little old thing” to keep them from spreading the
good news of the Gospel and opposing that which is false. Paul fearlessly
declared, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the
power of God unto salvation…” (Romans 1:16). In light
of this great fire, should not the fire of God’s word be burning
within us?
The reason men like Jeremiah had the fire burning
within them was that they knew of the seriousness of making known
the saving message of God in its purity. Proclaiming God’s
word is serious business for “for all have sinned” (Romans
3:23), sin separates man from God (Isaiah 59:1-2), and the “wages
of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Sin comes as a result of disobeying
God’s word (1 John 3:4). Thus, as along a man stays in ignorance
of God’s word he is without hope.
Jeremiah had a fire burning within because he cared
for the lost souls of men - he cared about their eternal destiny.
How concerned are we about the lost souls of men? Do we hurt knowing
that millions are dying without the Gospel? Are we going to sit
idly while our friends and loved ones die in sin, or will we have
the fire burning with in? James wrote, “that he who converteth
a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death,
and shall cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20). How much
do you care for the lost?
Copied from The Pattern,
Malvern, Arkansas
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