Ray A. Seilhamer
Bishop, 1993-2001
My brother-in-law in Michigan, Dick, still uses an old-fashioned wood-burning stove from about mid-November to early April. When I go into the farmhouse, especially when it's extremely cold outside, I like to literally embrace the stove. Through my jacket , I experience the warmth of that wood stove. It's the kind of heat that penetrates deep into your body.
In the Bible, God uses a number of symbols for the Holy Spirit. The one I like best is fire. Fire purifies, lights the darkness, takes away the coldness, and sets fire to other things that need to be set ablaze.
As Christians, we need to stand close to the fire--the fire that is the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. I want to discuss two benefits of embracing the Holy Spirit.
Living with a Clear Conscience
When my car runs low on oil, an indicator light blinks to let me know I have a problem, and three words light up on my dash: "Check Your Engine." Sometimes I ignore it. But it's wonderful having a system that notifies me of problems.
One of God's greatest gifts is the ability to live with a clear conscience. When you stand close to the fire, the Holy Spirit will convict you of sin in your life. And if you're listening and obedient, you will respond by confessing your sins to Him, as 1 John 1:9 instructs, and dumping your sin and guilt upon Him. And as you stand close to the fire, He will bring forgiveness and restoration. And then you can stand tall again and walk free.
When you stand by the fire, you experience a conviction of sin that doesn't come any other way. Isn't it wonderful that God cares enough to confront us when we step out of bounds?
Empowerment to Live Out Your Faith
The Book of Acts shows early Christians who, because they stood close to the flame, were able to act in powerful ways. The Holy Spirit provides such empowerment. Often, it comes at the tension of being timid and courageous. For example, Peter, the fisherman, stood before the Jewish Sanhedrin and made a courageous defense of the Gospel. Later, Stephen, even as stones rained upon him, cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them."
Empowered to forgive. As Stephen showed, when you stand close to the fire, you can be forgiving even of your enemies. But sometimes, it's easier to be forgiving of Nazi Germany than to forgive people who mistreated you last week. Do you find it difficult to forgive a pastor who failed you? Or a layperson who abused you? Embrace the flame, and you'll find power to forgive.
Empowered with sensitivity. I notice that when revival sweeps through a church or land, you'll find an elevated sensitivity to other people. I believe God's movement makes us more sensitive to each other. We pick up a lot which we wouldn't be aware of otherwise.
Christian counseling has the added dimension of the Holy Spirit working in the relationship between the counselor and counselee. The Holy Spirit makes the counselor more sensitive, and also helps counselees be much more aware of what's going on inside of them.
When you stand close to the fire, God will make you more sensitive to what is going on in other people's lives. You notice if they're upset, if they're disturbed about something. And you can respond with care and compassion.
Empowered to deal with temptation. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says any temptation you face is common to other people, and God will provide a way for you to stand up to the temptation.
You may be tempted to manipulate other people. It breaks my heart to see that happen in the church. Maturity demands that church leaders not abuse their opportunities to exercise power over others.
You may be tempted to be lazy and not take the high calling of God seriously. As a result, your ministry suffers. Are you tempted to watch too much TV, and thereby neglect doing things that are more important?
You may face the temptation to isolate yourself. To put yourl ife in neutral gear. To become callous to the hurts of others.
But when you stand close to the fire, embracing God and letting Him embrace you, He will enable you to stand in the midst of any temptation that comes your way.
