Where is the fire? Week 12, 2011

“Seriously I have little desire to talk to people about Jesus. It’s not like I do not believe in Him, but I have kind of cooled down from that initial time when I would tell those I had opportunity to.” What do you mean? “Well initially I used to pray that God gives me an opening and people would ask me something like, “There’s something different about you; what is it?” and then I would tell them about Jesus but that has kind of waned.” Don’t you hear the cry of the unbelievers’ punishment? And you feel normal, no unease, and no unrest inside you? “What cry?” "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any sorrow like my sorrow, which was brought upon me, which the LORD inflicted on the day of his fierce anger.” Lam 1:12(ESV).
“Yes, in fact I sometimes I see those rushing off to witness as perhaps being overeager, you know, maybe they should slow down a bit?”Are you not moved when you see unbelievers wallowing in sin and reaping the consequences? “Am I supposed to?” Ah, while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there Act 17:16-17(ESV). “It used to be but now…”
If your spirit is no longer provoked by sin around you unto evangelism then I have to ask, where is the fire? “What fire?” If I say, "I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name," there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot Jer 20:9(ESV). This fire was in Jeremiah, in Paul, and in those who are filled with the Spirit.
“Well maybe I am not. I am no apostle nor do I regard myself a prophet. I’m just a layperson; not ordained.” What of Elihu who is not introduced as a priest or prophet? For I am full of words; the spirit within me constrains me. Behold, my belly is like wine that has no vent; like new wineskins ready to burst. I must speak, that I may find relief; I must open my lips and answer Job 32:18-20(ESV). I think we need to pray. It is the word of God inside that created the fire. If men like Jeremiah couldn’t hold it in when they tried is the word still in you? Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Jer 23:29