Sayings

In today’s world, “Baptism by fire" is a phrase commonly used to describe a person who is learning something the hard way through a challenge or difficulty. In many cases, someone who starts a new job must undergo a baptism by fire, meaning they must immediately deal with one or more difficult situations.

However, in Matthew 3:11b we read “I baptise you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” In the Old Testament, fire sometimes symbolised God’s purification, much like fire is used to refine metals. For example, in Zechariah 13:8-9 the Lord said, “This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. … I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”

A man used to watch a blacksmith at his work, as he took each piece of metal in his experienced hand to examine it. Some pieces the blacksmith would throw onto one pile, to be worked on later. But others he would glance at and throw onto the junk heap.

The spectator asked, “Why is it that you throw some onto the junk heap and some over here?"

The blacksmith said, “I can see that some of that metal will be useful when it is put through the fire. There is something in it that will let it go through the fire and come out refined and perfected. But the other metal is useless – it cannot take the fire, so I have to toss it over onto the junk heap.”

Christians who are “on fire” for the Lord reject the safe, comfortable life in favour of accomplishing God’s will; they actively “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). They are “eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:14). Some believers today need to heed Paul’s advice: “I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you” (2 Timothy 1:6, NLT).

Holy One,

ignite within us a fiery passion

for your mission in the world today.

Warm us by the Spirit’s dancing tongues of flame,

that we may feel your kindling blaze within,

urging us to do your greater good.

Make us wholly present to experience a new birth,

and awaken possibilities within us

to share your love in the world.

In this love and abundance,

we come to celebrate your harvest—

a harvest bearing the first fruits of the Spirit

within us.

Show us how to use these gifts,

as we listen for your truth

in the gentle breeze of your Spirit. Amen.