Fanning the Flame
In the midst of tribulation, The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome: Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer…. (Romans 12:10-12)
In other words, stoke The fire of the holy spirit. Despite the persecution, the fellowship of the church the body of Christ binds us together in the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
The world stands against the truth of the Word of God. Men of God are called to lead their families in the love of God. According to 3 John 1:4, I have no greater joy than to see that my children walk in truth.
The world and the popular culture, influenced by the god of this world, has marginalized men in our society. The most-used adjective to describe men today is the word “toxic.” They say the term “toxic masculinity” is redundant…. What other type of masculinity is there? However, the word of God says, God has called men of God to stand for the truth of His world…. Our righteousness is not in our own ability, but in the power of the holy spirit.
Salvation is both a one time event and also an ongoing practice…. This is why Philippians 2:12 says, work out your own salvation, your wholeness, your ongoing redemption, with fear and reverence…. With awe, respect, and love of God. Maintaining our vertical relationship in fellowship with God is ongoing… it is taking action intentionally, and purposefully moment by moment to deliberately and lovingly walk with the Lord.
As Men of God, our responsibility is our response to God’s ability. Following after Christ, growing in the love of God, and fanning the flame of the Holy Spirit is based on Influencers’ five foundational truths. The first is Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives. Second, the word of God truth. Therefore, the Bible is our sole rule of faith and practice. The third is, We are men of prayer. Fourth, we link together with likeminded believers. Fifth, we give it away.
Paul said, quench not the spirit. Sin will quench the spirit of God. Sin separates our heart from God’s heart…. Sin focuses on the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. Sin puts the desires of the flesh over the desires of the spirit of God in Christ. To turn from sin is to return to our Lord Jesus Christ.
If our concept of God is that he is a hard taskmaster whose purpose is to condemn us when we sin, then we will fall away from the grace, mercy, and love of God. The parable of the talents is an illustration of the steward who was motivated by fear instead of love.
God will make a way to return to fellowship… to realign our hearts with His heart. Psalm 51 is the record of David’s repentance and restoration after he had fallen into sin. A broken and a contrite heart God will not forsake.
Matthew 12 says, a battered reed he will not break off until in his name the gentiles will put their hope. The battered reed and a dimly burning wick he will not extinguish. Even though the flame of the Holy Spirit may flicker and smolder, God will not allow his Holy Spirit to be extinguished…. Until he sends forth his judgement to victory and until the Gentiles put their trust in him.
It’s easy to be discouraged by the world and the trials and tribulations that surround us. However, God makes a way of deliverance where the world seems bleak and hopeless…. For there has no temptation taken you, but such as is common to all men. But God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above that which you are able but will with the temptation make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it.
For even when we sin and break fellowship with God, if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Life is a series of choices. God himself is pro-choice…. Given the choice between life and death, choose life. As Joshua said after he had led the children of Israel into the promised land, Choose ye this day whom ye shall serve, as for me and my house we shall serve the Lord.
Serving the Lord from a heart of love, fans the flame of the Holy Spirit. As we work out our salvation with awe, reverence, respect, and love of God… as we quench not the Holy Spirit of promise, then the next verse, Philippians 2:13 says… it is God who worketh in you to will and to do of His good pleasure.
God will respond when we cry out to him. Jesus said, ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.
Psalm 133 says, how good and pleasant it is that my people walk in unity…
It’s important to assemble together as the called of God, his church… like minded men standing together to fan one another’s flame in the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
Lord Give us men…. Men who are living epistles of salt and light to all they meet… men who are known to have spent time with you…. Men of faith and action who have you as their passion and reason for living.. even though these men are few, these men choose to decrease that you may increase.
Lord Give us Men…. Men who give their lives to you in total abandonment and absolute trust..
Lord, make me a man like this among men like this that together we may ever live to glorify you.
Fanning the flame, quenching not the Holy Spirit of God in Christ in us that we may together shine as lights in a world of darkness, to the praise of the glory of thy grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael
