A Failure to Communicate

Have you noticed that literature has been watered down over the years? Gone is the rich language of Shakespeare and the early poets. The English language now resembles that of the Saxons more than it does the French. It has become shallow and crude. The King James Bible is read less and less because it is harder and harder to understand. My daughter's school book list contains few of the classics I read in my youth. By the time I was in eighth grade I had at least perused Homer's Iliad and Odessy, read extensivley on the Holocaust and read poetry and books in their ancient english. Among some of the other books were Lord of the Flies, The Chocolate War, Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry, The Illustrated Man, 1984, Farenhight 451, Animal Farm, and many others. Today's literary menu consists of Harry Potter, Ramona and Beezus, and My Fat Summer. While these books are at best cotton candy, and at worst controversial, they are not inherently evil. However, I do not believe they challenge the reader to rise to new heights of knowledge and understanding. That being said, let me turn my attention to main problem I want to address: The state of modern Contemporary Christian literature and music.

At best, some of it is cotton candy, at worst, it will lull the churchworld into a dreamy but deadly sleep. Each idea is turned into a commercial landslide. Once it has caught on, it becomes a fad of sorts. There are journals, book covers, jewelry, t-shirts, car decals, throws, coffee cups, cd's, and the like. One hardly has to read and assimilate information, one can just wear it and wrap up in it. I won't name any specific titles, because it is not the information I have a problem with, it's the lack of change that is evident.

The word talks of a people that seeing, do not see, and hearing, do not hear. These people's hearts will be hardened by the Lord and will face judgement. I, for one, do not want to be numbered amongst that lot. Let me give one example.

FIRE

This word has been used in songs, devotions, and prayers throughout the country. But I doubt we are truly aware of what we're singing, praying, writing, or reading. All over the country people are asking for a renewal of fire, or more fire. I hear it in songs and prayed in church and see it on clothing and decals to the point I think I will scream if I hear it again. The idea of being caught up in heavenly fire has been definitely watered down. The extent of some expressions are a desire for a lively worship service or a spectacle of miracles where some man claims the credit. It's all about "me", and not about Christ. We, as a people, are more concerned with acquiring some kind of mystical power with no strings attached than becoming the kingdom Christ is building, no matter the cost. Let's see what the bible has to say about fire, and then decide if you really want to pray for it so nonchalantly.

In Exodous, Moses turns aside to contemplate a burning bush. Out of it, God tells him that he is standing on holy ground and to remove his shoes. Then he directs Moses to go back to the land from which he fled in fear and be a mouthpiece for God himself. First, Moses had to purify himself by removing his sandles. Then, he was greatly afraid. Lastly, he doubted he could do what God demanded. This was not a feel good experience. God asked Moses to do everything that went against his nature. Moses would do what God wanted, with Aaron's assistance, but would be ridiculed and blamed for everything that went wrong. He wasn't the man of the hour for many, but was the scapegoat at times, and interceded for God's people anyway. He wasn't patted on the back or esteemed for his audiences with God, but rather feared and murmered against time and time again.

Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego, were thrown into a furnace for refusing to bow down to the king's likeness. It was so hot, the men that threw them in perished, but they reamined unscathed because God was with them. No matter the cost. They went willingly, knowing they would most likely perish. It is this kind of fire that the New Testament speaks of when it speaks of a refining fire.

The refining fire cleanses and purifies. One is either consumed, or is transformed with clean hands and a pure heart. This fire takes the form of trials and tribulations. When you ask for the refining fire, you are asking for trials and tribulations to test your faith and burn away that which is displeasing to the Lord. You are asking to camp out on the threshing floorof the Lord and be made subject to His winnowing fan. The bible says to not only endure this hardship like a good soldier of Christ, but to do so with praise and thanksgiving.

The fire referred to most often is the tongues of fire visited upon the disciples in the upper room. How glorious, to have heard that rushing wind, and seen the Holy Spirit made manifest. This is so often romanticized, seen with the glory, but not the cost. This fire was power to preach the gospel, the gospel they had just witnessed their Saviour crucified for. They were going into a climate hostile towards there message. Yes, there were 3000 saved the first day, but not much later, they were thrown immediately in prison. All but one died a martyr's death. That was what the fire was for; perseverence in the face of persecution. When we pray for that kind of fire, we are asking to press through in spite of and even BECAUSE of that kind of persecution and ridicule.

Finally, fire is likened unto the day of the Lord. Fire stands for judgement; the day when the Lord will separate the tares from the wheat, and the sheep from the goats. When we pray for cleansing and consuming fire, we are asking the Lord, for lack of a better term, and eternal review. He who has much will be given more, he who has nothing will lose what he already has.

My point today...we need to know what we're asking for. We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, not being conformed to this world. The Bible is not a source of cliche's that get us through the work week, or uplift us because we're snickered at. Likewise, the Holy Spirit is not a genie condemned to grant us three wishes before we go our merry way. The spirit and the word should give us boldness to live uprightly in a world asleep. It should impart power to communicate the real gospel which is salvation from eternal death, not seven secrets to a more fulfilled life.

So Father..renew us with your fire. Give us boldness to preach your word without compromise. See if there is any wicked way in us and purge us, clothing us in your righteousness. May our works be as nothing and all the glory be yours. May we rely on you when you send us into impossible places, may we joy in the face of persecution and even death. Most of all, let us live for you daily, joyfully aware you are watching and ever present, ever ready to return. Even so, come Lord Jesus.