Have you ever heard someone say that a Christian person they know is “on fire” for the Lord? We may nod and agree once we hear a phrase equivalent to this, especially if we’ve grown up within the church and Christian communities, but will we actually know what it means to be “on fire” for God?
What Does Being “On Fire” for the Lord Look Like?
To be on fire for the Lord means to be crammed with Godly passion and fervor for God and the mission of the Gospel. Another word that pertains to this idea of being on fire is “zeal.” After Jesus turned over the tables of those that were using the Temple as a spot to make a profit, John 2:17 says that Jesus’ disciples remembered that it was said, “the zeal of your own home consumes me,” which is a reference to David’s words in Psalm 69. This spiritual zeal inspires others and keeps your faith vibrant and alive.
Oftentimes, when someone first gives their life to Christ, they’re especially passionate and fervent. They may jump head-first into ministry opportunities, take a ardent interest in studying the Bible and theology, and tell everyone they interact with about their new-found faith. For a real Christian–someone who has a real faith–this fervor will only be the start of a lifelong relationship with the Lord, living for him and searching for to introduce others to him.
Sadly, having extreme fervor and being on fire for the Lord shouldn’t be all the time something that lasts. As Jesus outlined in his teaching within the Parable of the Sower, some seeds will fall amongst rocky soil and can spring up quickly, but since the soil is shallow, when the sun beats down on it, it’s scorched and dies since it didn’t have strong roots. Another strategy to put that is that this person was not abiding within the vine, as Jesus said in one other place (John 15:5).
What Does the Bible Say about Fire?
The Bible has much to say about fire in each the Old and New Testaments. Let’s examine what the Bible says about fire and the way this could make clear what being on fire for the Lord means.
This powerful element is commonly used as a logo for God’s judgment, everlasting punishment (as within the Lake of Fire), God’s presence (Moses and the burning bush), or, within the New Testament, God’s power at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was given to the apostles and appeared on each of them as “tongues of fireside” (Acts 2:3).
In his article “What is the Significance and Symbolism of Fire within the Bible?” Joel Ryan notes, “This ‘baptism of the Holy Spirit,’ during which redeemed believers are empowered, equipped, emboldened, and encouraged by the Spirit, is commonly represented by the imagery of fireside. It is identical ‘baptism of fireside’ that transforms and invigorates all believers to do the work of the Lord.”
That same Holy Spirit that was given to Jesus’ apostles is given to Christians today once we put our faith in Jesus. This Spirit resides and energetic within the believer’s life and allows us to bear fruit (Gal. 5:22-23) which is a sworn statement to the world that Christ is in us. It is as if Christ lights a hearth in our hearts through the Holy Spirit, thus being on fire for the Lord is an apt metaphor.
How Do We Stay “On Fire” for God?
The Bible accommodates many warnings against “lukewarm” Christians which may be considered the other of being on fire for God. We should never develop into complacent in our faith or take all of the Lord has done and continues to do for us without any consideration. We have a tremendous inheritance as Christians–we are called Christ’s brothers and sisters and have access to the Father and might live in the ability of the Spirit. Many Christians allow the cares of this world to crowd out their give attention to the everlasting and the Kingdom of Heaven.
We will definitely have seasons once we feel that Scripture is more illuminated for us and feel more empowered by the Spirit to share the Gospel, but we must “proceed in your faith, established and firm, and don’t move from the hope held out within the gospel” (Col. 1:23).
This is the mystery of how we “work out our salvation” (Phil. 2:12) with the ability of the Holy Spirit. We can ensure that God’s Spirit will proceed to provide us the fervour and fire for the things of God as we seek to abide in Jesus.
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Veronica Olson Neffinger is a Content Editor for Salem Web Network. When she shouldn’t be writing or editing articles, you will discover her listening to baseball games, having fun with the outside, reading, or engaged in some type of home or garden care. She lives in Richmond, VA together with her husband and two young sons.
