Godfire - a Word Study

[Gregory Thompson]

My thoughts on the fire of God as used as a word in the bible is that when the Burning bush passage illustrates the fire of God, it is a gentle fire that does not consume the bush God is inhabiting. As the psalms progress, there's a passage that says "our God is a consuming fire" Jeremiah takes this further to say a fire that is like a hammer that breaks the rocks to pieces.

In the new testament, I see the disciples asking if they should call down fire from heaven on the crowds like Elijah did, Jesus replied implying an unclean spirit in them. I also see the flaming tongues of fire gently resting on those in the upper room at pentecost. I also see Peter speaking of a fervent heat that will melt everything in creation in the judgment.

So in the end perhaps this is the kindness and the severity of God?

During times of distress, and also the judgment the fire is seen as a destructive. However, when first discovered, gentle, and not consuming.

 

[Saint Steven]

Dear Saint: There are vast avenues of Father's working in our lives. Much is in the present progressive tense. Salvation, like the baptism of the Holy Spirit (be being filled) is not a one time experience.

Salvation most asuredly is in the here and now for the especially/ malista of His love and grace >>>>

However

We are saved...we are being saved...we yet shall be saved

Wow, what a great post. Thanks.
I was focusing on the malista, as you say, with my question.
I love the term "present progressive tense".
The idea that something has been initiated that will continue.

Like a seed planted that sprouts and grows, that soaks up both rain and sunshine, sends roots deep into fertile soil, that is pruned to produce fruit, forms a protective bark and weathers the storm...

I like the tie-in to the baptism with the Holy Spirit, as well. I seem to get a jolt every day to recharge that spiritual battery. And there have been events along the way that provide a deep-charge.

This reminded me of a bookmark in one of my study Bibles. It is made from the package of an Energizer battery, trimmed so as to only picture the Energizer Bunny. (another member of the dark glasses club - lol) This bookmark holds the spot in my Bible, and bears the reference for the verse posted below.

Philippians 2:13
for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

 

[FineLinen]

Wow, what a great post. Thanks.
I was focusing on the malista, as you say, with my question.
I love the term "present progressive tense".
The idea that something has been initiated that will continue.

Like a seed planted that sprouts and grows, that soaks up both rain and sunshine, sends roots deep into fertile soil, that is pruned to produce fruit, forms a protective bark and weathers the storm...

I like the tie-in to the baptism with the Holy Spirit, as well. I seem to get a jolt every day to recharge that spiritual battery. And there have been events along the way that provide a deep-charge.

This reminded me of a bookmark in one of my study Bibles. It is made from the package of an Energizer battery, trimmed so as to only picture the Energizer Bunny. (another member of the dark glasses club - lol) This bookmark holds the spot in my Bible, and bears the reference for the verse posted below.

Philippians 2:13
for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Dear Brother: The malista are most assuredly the first-fruits of God's plan of recovery for the all. He is Saviour of ALL mankind with the malista (especially) leading the way Home to Him.

The Archegos & Prodromos, the Prince-Leader, has pioneered the way Home. He has spied out the land and taken His place, a place where the Father produces sons IN His Nature and character.

Bringing many sons to glory...

 

[Saint Steven]

Unregenerate men cannot comprehend even that they should come to the Light. They are the unborn dead who know only darkness. They are totally depraved, wholly incapable of thinking, perceiving, or doing anything pleasing to God, UNTIL GOD SEES FIT TO GIVE THEM LIFE and understanding. Faith follows the giving of Life. The giving of Life is by the will of God. Notice the order: "God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, has made us alive together with Christ (by grace are you saved)" (Eph. 2:4-5). Man is not saved by some mythical act of his own free will. He is saved by grace, the divine enablement of God who first gives him Life and then imparts faith in his heart as a free gift. Paul continues: "For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the Gift of God. It is not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph. 2:8-9).

Observe! Saving faith is the GIFT OF GOD, NOT AN EXERCISE OF MAN'S "FREE WILL"! Man must believe, certainly, but it is not the old deceitful and desperately wicked heart, nor the old carnal mind which believes, but the faith graciously imparted by God as a gift is the agency of man's believing. God has decreed that the works of the flesh shall have no part in the "so great salvation" which He Himself provides. It is His work through the Gift of Life. He regenerated us when we were dead in sins. Life is His Gift. Faith is His Gift. We are saved by a faith which "is not of ourselves." We believed by the faith which GOD GIVES, not by our own FREE WILL! Until a man has been quickened by the Holy Spirit the word is: "Why do you not understand My speech? Even because you cannot hear My word! You are of your father the devil" (Jn. 8:43-44). But once God quickens us by the Gift of Life and the Gift of Faith the word is:" It is GOD who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).

Source: The Savior of the World, by J. Preston Eby
Kindgdom Bible Studies Savior of the World Series Part 1