How I wish the churches were on fire spiritually! Yet today I would like to highlight some of the churches torched, set on fire, and burnt down in an attempt to ethnic cleansing in my home state.
The sad news and sporadic violence spread like wildfire in my home state. The first week of this month witnessed such a horrific situation, which is still going on to date. It was caused by a combination of human greed, jealousy, and the growth of falsifying facts for ages.
Until now, as per reports and private circulation more than 220 churches and establishments, were either gutted down or demolished. The reasons can be maligned based on political alignment, land grabbing, and many more. But one thing is certain the enemy is on the move and it has gained more space than it should have been.
I understand this terminology or phrase ‘church on fire’ is used to refer to spiritual awakening or a revival brought about or occurring in the church.
The news about the suffering of our brethren was heart-wrenching. Thus, I went into reclusion, spending time praying for the affected, displaced, and possible outcome. It becomes the best option for me due to my condition. Further, it was different from being offensive and defensive which I had experienced before.
In the process, my writing habit has been hit hard; I made a few posts here and the characters in my upcoming books were floating and whispering inside my head.
The Church on fire:
For some time now, the visual of physical damage caused by the fire was still floating on social media. However, the real church built by Christ Jesus remains intact in the heart of the believers. The building may collapse but the spirit still resides in the heart of his people.
Since the spirit cannot be killed, if God’s willing these churches will bring about a revival among the church-goers. I simply called it churchgoers because every one of them might not be a believer of Jesus Christ and His sacrificial work for the world. Then, our heart becomes the temple of God.
The transition:
When the news broke, I am directed to Judges 2. It talks about disobedience and defeat. I took time to compare it with the death of Joseph and Deuteronomy 28.
After that, the death of Joshua the son of Nun, a whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, and another generation grew up who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel. Judges 2:10 with my emphasis added.
Just a few years ago, our community celebrated the One Hundredth Year of the Gospel of Christ being introduced to us. The gospel has set us free! The first generations (most of them) of our community who saw the footsteps of the one who brought us the gospel has passed away.
Now that we were a new generation greatly inspired by the Western culture because we were introduced to their way of education began to take over the administration and teaching of the word of God.
The fading fire:
It is my personal observation that the fire is dimming. The fire has gone towards fading into selfishness, greed, and the inability to pass on the word of God in a rightful manner. The light of Jesus has been shaded by us.
I am not incriminating my whole community of believers, but I saw myself as not up to the standard to shed light on the dark. While I am not against imbibing the Western way of life, I’m afraid we have churchgoers who thought adopting the Western way of worship, program-making, singing, strumming loud music, and filling the pew makes us a believer.
Let me reiterate here again that I have no regard nor disregard for any culture. It’s just that the heart of worshipping, church service, and establishment must be based on truth – the truth that sets us free. Read John 8 for the light and the truth.
The power of fire:
“Our God is a consuming fire.” (Heb. 12:29), and He desires to have, and will have a church that is “on fire” with His Divine Presence and Power. God is our refining fire.
The Refiner’s fire burns out the unnecessary stuff in our lives. The best materials are refined with fire. It brings the best out of them. Undergoing fire makes us clean and holy in God’s sight.
Fire softens us, prepare us, lets us repent, and prepares us for our God.
Fire is the light of hope at the end of the tunnel.
A Church on fire:
A church on fire unites us to seek His face. A church on fire no longer cares only for the material being but cares for the souls.
A church on fire is filling the gap by soldering generations to generations in the spirit. A church on fire does not get busy in prosperity but pursues the lost with love in every kind of ministry. A church on fire is mobilized to reach each and every one of its members and beyond.
Moreover, a church on fire no longer has fellowship with darkness and a focus on God. It doesn’t entangle itself with the affairs of the world. 1 John 2:15 But have the desire to fulfill being the chosen soldier of God.
And to conclude for now, a church on fire is not awakened by the affairs of the world but by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is my fervent prayer that through the church set on fire, gutted down, and humbly demolished wil shine brighter than before for all who have seen and witness the news surrounding it.
1 thought on “The church on fire”