A Torch Without A Flame
19/12/13 16:13 Filed in: Inspirational
It is not as socially acceptable to be a Christian as it once was. The “Ten Commandments” are being removed from public venues. Jesus, Christmas, and even God are becoming increasingly taboo. And it is certainly not PC to be a Christian owing to our radical (extremist) views on abortion and homosexuality. Christians are increasingly being looked upon as being domestic terrorists. Yet there are still those strong Christians who, despite the negative press and being ill spoken of, steadfastly and openly declare their love of Yeshua.
A torch without a flame is just a stick; it is not a torch at all. Sure, you can still call it a torch, but without a flame it does not give the promised light of an actual torch. It is, in reality, just a stick.
What are we to say then of a Christian who has no witness or testimony? The world is experiencing a plethora of pew/chair warmers; people who attend services, but never provide any type of service themselves. These people not only fail to share the gospel message on any level, but also consistently render generic terms like “God” and “Lord” in conversation rather than “Yeshua” or “Jesus.”
Things are going to get far worse than they are right now. The Father is going to be blasphemed, Yeshua will be blasphemed, God’s people will be put to death (and often are even today). If we cannot find the courage to give voice to our faith today how will we ever have the courage to do so if it should cost us our lives?
The account of the cursed fig tree serves as a warning against being torches without flames.
And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. —Mark 11:12-14
The fig tree made a promise of fruit by being all in leaf, but produced nothing. We must not be found making a promise of being faithful, loving followers of Messiah, but producing no fruit.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. —Matthew 5:14-16
If no man does this, how much less does our heavenly Father do it. When the Father fills us with his Holy Spirit, he does so in order that others may see that light in us. God’s glory cannot be hid in those who have graciously received it.
We simply cannot be the light of the world if we are torches without flames.
What are we to say then of a Christian who has no witness or testimony? The world is experiencing a plethora of pew/chair warmers; people who attend services, but never provide any type of service themselves. These people not only fail to share the gospel message on any level, but also consistently render generic terms like “God” and “Lord” in conversation rather than “Yeshua” or “Jesus.”
Things are going to get far worse than they are right now. The Father is going to be blasphemed, Yeshua will be blasphemed, God’s people will be put to death (and often are even today). If we cannot find the courage to give voice to our faith today how will we ever have the courage to do so if it should cost us our lives?
The account of the cursed fig tree serves as a warning against being torches without flames.
And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. —Mark 11:12-14
The fig tree made a promise of fruit by being all in leaf, but produced nothing. We must not be found making a promise of being faithful, loving followers of Messiah, but producing no fruit.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. —Matthew 5:14-16
If no man does this, how much less does our heavenly Father do it. When the Father fills us with his Holy Spirit, he does so in order that others may see that light in us. God’s glory cannot be hid in those who have graciously received it.
We simply cannot be the light of the world if we are torches without flames.
