Firm and True

Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”
 
THIS “therefore” follows Hebrews 12:27 so that what cannot be shaken may remain.
   What else is there to do but to be thankful and worship God? With awe and reverence, we consider what God has done to save mankind. We worship his love that has caused him to prepare a sure and eternal home for us. In faith we revere God’s mercy to forgive our sins. And we understand his justice to condemn those who are evil.
   Once he calls us to himself, the unshakeable God holds us securely in his hand. We must not consider this as something we deserve. It is only God’s rich kindness and tender love that changes our lives.
   For he is a consuming fire who demands justice. Hebrews draws from Moses’ words in Deuteronomy 4:24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. Moses knew the full measure of these words when God judged Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu. When they offered unauthorized fire to the LORD, fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord. (Leviticus10:2) Looking ahead, we see the prophecies of God’s judgment include the final destruction of sin with fire: Revelation 18:8 (Babylon) will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her.
   Knowing how much God hates sin helps us understand how great is his love to remove sin from our lives. How easily he could have flooded the earth and left it empty, to enjoy his natural creation as heaven’s extension. How quickly Yahweh could have destroyed Israel when they often rejected his provision in the desert and absolutely refused to enter the Promised Land. The consuming fire could have destroyed the religious authorities who opposed Jesus. Heaven’s fire could have come down on those such as Saul of Tarsus, who persecuted the early church. Today God’s consuming fire could quickly remove all opposition to his church.
   But God has a plan. He is love. And his purpose is to bless all the nations of the earth as he promised Abraham so many years ago. With love and mercy, God is withholding his fire until his plan is complete. Praise God you have been touched with the Spirit’s fire of redemption to save you from destruction.