The Wrong Fire

May 9

(Luke 9:53-56 NIV) “… but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. {54} When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" {55} But Jesus turned and rebuked them, {56} and they went to another village.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:15-22 NIV)  "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. {16} Be joyful always; {17} pray continually; {18} give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. {19} Do not put out the Spirit's fire; {20} do not treat prophecies with contempt. {21} Test everything. Hold on to the good. {22} Avoid every kind of evil."

Followers of Jesus can sometimes have the wrong fire. James and John wanted to bring fire down upon this inhospitable village, but Jesus turned and rebuked their arrogance. Christ came to give life, not take it. He’s into restoration, not demolition. There are those who still practice the “scorched earth” policy of James and John. Disagree with their doctrinal positions, and they will turn you into soot and ashes. They too, have the wrong fire. Don’t join them. Christ’s fire does not burn people -- it warms hearts. The fire of God’s Spirit does not call disciples to destroy the city of unbelief -- it lights their way to a city where Christ will be received. His fire keeps us looking for the receptive, rather than lambasting the resistant. Somewhere, people are accepting Christ. Go there! This is what Jesus modeled. This is the kind of fire Christ would have us acquire. Is this the fire you have? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day