24/11/2021 - DON’T WARM YOURSELF TO NATURAL FIRE

• 
• 
• 
• 

But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. Mark 14.54

Those who are not vigilant in what they say and do not pray, when they go through trials, will make various bad decisions. This was Peter’s assurance, that even if everyone abandoned Jesus, he would never do so. But then he denied Him three times, before the rooster crowed (Mark 14.27-30). Without the Savior’s help, we can do nothing (John 15.5). So, let us try to live closer to Him, and then we will not fall into temptation. Peter had not yet tasted the new birth. Have you experienced it?

In Gethsemane, Peter tried to defend Jesus by the arm of flesh and did wrong by cutting off the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant (John 18.10). This happened because he was following Christ from afar. If he had been following Him wholeheartedly, his attitude would have been different. He was faithful and good to the Master, but not saved: But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren (Luke 22.32). To be converted is to turn to the Lord!

You can’t follow the Savior – from afar and be used by the Holy Spirit. Whoever does this will practice things outside of divine direction, causing some kind of suffering and pain in people. Fanatics exist in all religions. In the Gospel, we also find them from time to time – and they are dangerous. Jesus said: They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service (John 16.2). Watch and pray!

When King David was taking the ark to Jerusalem, he was coming down the road giving glory to God – for he was so happy. Uzzah, seeing the chariot hanging over to one side, reached out his hand to help and died: Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error and he died there by the ark of God (2 Samuel 6.7). He did what he was not asked to do, getting in the way of the divine plan. The Father doesn’t need our help!

Seeing Malchus without his ear, the Master told Peter to put away his sword. Then, in front of those who witnessed the disciple’s reaction, including the soldiers, Jesus restored the severed ear of His enemy’s servant. In the face of the wickedness that the officers wished to do to Him, Christ did not fail to use His mercy. The Savior is always ready to do the Father’s work, regardless of what is happening around. Simple: He is God!

Even to witness for Jesus, we need the Lord’s help. Remember what He said about what someone says about his own deeds: Yet I do not receive testimony from man, but I say these things that you may be saved (John 5.34). Only fulfill the mission given by God. Jesus was adamant about the praise that we think we give Him: “I do not receive honor from men. (John 5.41). Follow only the Word!

It´s good not to warm up by the fire of man, but to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We don’t need the things used by people of the world, in the intimacy of the marriage bed – because there, they indulge in all kinds of impurities. But the Lord says: Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge (Hebrews 13.4).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares