John answered them, saying, "I baptize with water, but there stands One among you ... whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
~ John 1:26; Luke 3:16 (NKJV)
"Yes! Cover me with the blood of Jesus. Cleanse my sins and give me spiritual birth. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. Warm me with fire of revival."
So we begin, expecting a comfortable fire after a nice shower.
We learn that "baptism" (Greek baptisma) means "immerse." We are immersed in water and experience death. We are immersed in fire's furnace of affliction are purified by the Refiner.
We think water will drown us and fire will consume us. YHWH says otherwise:
But now, thus says the LORD,
Who created you ... who formed you ...
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you."
~ Isaiah 43:1-2 (NKJV)
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A bath and a warm fire. Great imagery, but as you say, both are painful, excruciating. But with that pain and death comes liberation and life.
ReplyDeleteI don't like pain. But I realize it's necessary
That word scorch has come to me twice today. God's talking.
ReplyDeleteMakes me think of Shad, Me, and Abed (no way I was going to spell their names right).
I am HIS.
~ Wendy
I experienced that death, burial and resurrection at my baptism and know how important it really is . Great post today.
ReplyDeleteI've been pondering what Mark 9:49 means ... "everyone shall be salted with fire." AMP
ReplyDeleteI suppose, David, that death is always liberating for the Christian. You're right, that doesn't make it any easier, or less painful.
ReplyDeleteWendy, are you referring to Shad, Rach & Benny? ;D Are you feeling any singed hair? It occurs to me that those three emerged from the flames without even the smell of fire on them. We can expect no less.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Odie. I don't know about you, but for me, that death seems like it would get easier as I get used to it. Then of course, God's always taking it to a new arena on a different level ...
ReplyDeleteWow, Susan! I hadn't made that connection. Maybe the fire baptism is more of a shower than an immersion, if we're being "salted" with it, eh? I know simply that we will not be consumed, burned, or even scorched. Those are reassuring words from our Lord.
ReplyDeleteHi Anne, refinement by fire is so painful though. Hope you're well. Amy
ReplyDeleteGetting clean doesn't feel good, but clean does. Yes, I am well. : )
ReplyDelete