We all carry around different things that we are proud of in life. These things can range from physical objects such as trophies, jewelry, cars, houses, boats, expensive clothes, etc. all the way to objects that aren't so material. For example, how often do we carry around pride like we have always achieved something so much higher than anyone else. Sometimes it's a lofty job with a six figure income, an front row parking spot, the VIP experience at our favorite concert, or maybe just our good health that we take for granted.
Why is it that we allow ourselves to be so consumed with priceless goods, expensive objects, vast riches, and entitlements? Does it give us a sense of establishment and power when we rank higher than others? Are we really superior to other people so much that we crave the attention that comes with it? Or do we just have it all wrong because we fail to examine ourselves?
We often fail to think about how it is that we act when we do receive our blessings from God, and we fail to give Him credit for those exact things that He provides us with. More over we forget that when we walk around with pride in our things and flaunt them that we hurting someone who has yet to receive that level of blessing. We have to learn how to take our blessings and share them humbly with others. I am not saying that you shouldn't be excited for your blessing or that you shouldn't celebrate a promotion. Where we get into trouble is when we begin to rub it in the faces of others and we forget what got us to that place and how we felt before we got there.
You may say, well I don't have anything like that. I have never had a fancy car, a high paying job, expensive jewelry, a big house with tons of land, or high end clothing. You're there scratching your head cause you are struggling to make it from week to week with a car that barely runs all the while wearing clothes from a thrift store with holes in your shoes that are three years old. You're thinking, how does this apply to me? Where do I fit in cause the only blessing I have is food on the table and half decent health? I give it my all am I not good enough?
To answer your questions, I need you to first recall the story of the rich man.
17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” (Mark 10:17-25 NLT)
Here we see a man who had it all and was living a good life by following the religious law of the time. Jesus felt genuine love for him just like he does each and everyone of us. He wants each and everyone of us to be blessed with more than enough, abundantly, and over flowing. However, recognize that this man's love for his possessions and entitlements was so great that it impacted his relationship with Jesus. He was more upset about needing to part with his earthly possessions that he failed to see the good that would come of it and his eternal blessing.
See I am here to tell you that it doesn't matter how big your car is, how pretty your house is, how much money you have or what your title at work is! You gotta realize that if you love all of those things more than you love God then your relationship with Him has been compromised and you're not living life with a humble open heart. Jesus knew this man would be just as happy and possibly greater so when he made a difference in the lives that he would have been able to bless. The old saying money can't buy happiness holds great value here.
There is nothing wrong with having blessings but keep in mind that when you take your last breath and you're standing before the Lord those things that you had on Earth won't be there to hold your testimony. Your car will not be there to sanctify that you were a holy person and fed the poor or loved God with all your heart. So be cautious not to love the things of this world more than the Father in heaven.
Okay, so what about this purifying in the fire as the title suggests? Well I have to first enlighten you on some things you may not be aware of. Did you know Jesus encourages you to store up you treasures in heaven rather than here on Earth? You can find this in Matthew 6:19-21 where He talks about storing up heavenly treasures that can't be stolen by thieves or destroyed by moths. He says in verse 21 " For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This again demonstrates the importance of watching what treasures you fall in love with. Fall in love with the treasure of His love, His mercy, His grace, and His sacrifice for you.
18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. (Revelation 3:18 NLT)
Let your treasures be refined in the fires of heaven. Let them be made pure and everlasting for eternity. Don't be discouraged if you don't have anything here on Earth cause if you are doing the work of God and loving Him unconditionally, you are filling the storehouses of heaven with gold purified by God Himself! There's no greater gift you can present to Him than your whole self unconditionally and wholeheartedly.
There's another fire that you can purify yourself in and that is the fire of the Holy Spirit. If you don't walk like Jesus, talk like Jesus, or love like Jesus, I promise that after you allow the Holy Spirit to purify your body, mind and soul you will be a whole new creature! I challenge you to get a closer relationship with God today if you have never felt that touch. John the Baptist came to purify with water but Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to baptize you and cleanse you with fire!
Chase Him, seek Him, and desire Him with all you are! Sometimes all you need to do is lay yourself at His throne and allow yourself to be made whole and purified in His glory. Take yourself to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords and purify your treasures in the flames!
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