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For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 2 Timothy 1:6
FAN
Certainly, our God is all-powerful. He destroyed all the wicked of the earth in a single flood (Gen 7:19). He parted the Red Sea before His people (Exo 14:21). He utterly consumed the soaked sacrifice with fire from heaven in answering Elijah’s prayer (1 Ki 18:38). He moved heaven and earth for some four-thousand years to bring about the birth of His only begotten Son to a virgin named Mary (Gal 4:4) after proclaiming this gospel truth in the garden to Adam and Eve (Gen 3:15). Yet, when Jesus came, it was not with mighty armies to subdue nations (although that day will certainly come when Jesus returns). His lineage was of poor parents (Luke 2:4; Lev 12:8). His physical features were plain and unassuming (Isa 53:2). Christ’s invitation to sinners was gentle and lowly in heart (Matt 11:28-30). His entry into the Jerusalem of men’s hearts was meek and humble, riding upon the foal of a donkey (Zech 9:9; John 12:14-16). Though Jesus had zeal for His Father’s house against sin, greed, and the works of the flesh (John 2:15-17), the Lord’s interactions with others were kind, compassionate and full of health and encouragement (Isa 42:3; Matt 12:20). Likewise, the gospel flame within us is not a raging inferno. Surely, our God is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29); nevertheless, you and I are not God. Because of the corruptions still remaining in our mortal flesh, we would become overwhelmingly undone. Yet, when we walk in the Spirit of Christ, we are encouraged by Christ from His Word to fan into flame Christ’s truth in us and it will illuminate Christ to ourselves, and to others. When we fan into flame Christ’s presence within us, He will warm us, as well as warming others around us. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Humble, lowly, Jesus Christ came,
A lit lamp, a warm coal:
Not raging fire, but simple flame,
With pow’r to save one’s soul.
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
10/29 Reading Portions: 2 Kings 10; 2 Timothy 1; Hosea 2; Psalm 119:97-120
