October 19th, 2025
by Rev. Kevin C Benton
by Rev. Kevin C Benton
The Grace and Fire of God: A Call to Deeper Faith
In our walk with God, it's easy to become complacent, to take His grace for granted and forget the true nature of His holiness. But we are called to a higher standard, to remember that our God is not just a dispenser of blessings, but a consuming fire who desires our wholehearted devotion.
Many Christians today have fallen into the trap of viewing God as a celestial version of Amazon, DoorDash, or Uber Eats - a divine service where we place our order and expect swift delivery of our desires. While it's true that God wants to bless us, this limited perspective severely underestimates His majesty and misses the deeper relationship He longs to have with us.
The Bible reminds us in Ephesians 2:1-8 that we were once dead in our trespasses and sins, walking according to the course of this world. But God, rich in mercy and love, made us alive together with Christ. It is by grace we have been saved, through faith - and this is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God. This unmerited, undeserved favor is the very essence of grace.
However, we must be cautious not to abuse this grace. Some have adopted a "gravy grace" mentality, believing they can live however they please because they're "covered." This misses the point entirely. God's grace is not a license for spiritual laziness or moral compromise. Rather, it should inspire us to live lives worthy of our calling.
1 Corinthians 3:10-17 paints a vivid picture of how our works will be tested by fire. Everything we build upon the foundation of Christ - whether gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw - will be revealed for what it truly is. Only that which endures the fire will remain, and only then will we receive our reward.
This brings us to an important question: Are we building lives that will withstand the test of God's refining fire? Are we investing in eternal things, or are we merely chasing after that which will burn away?
We must also confront the uncomfortable truth that many of us approach our relationship with God with a "bare minimum" mentality. We show up late to church (if at all), barely engage in prayer or Bible study, and then wonder why we're not experiencing the fullness of God's presence and power in our lives. But imagine if God treated us the way we often treat Him - only responding to our urgent needs at the last possible moment, or showing up late and distracted when we cry out for help.
Galatians 6:7-9 reminds us, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
This principle of sowing and reaping applies not just to our actions, but to our attitudes as well. When we sow negativity, we reap more negativity. But when we sow into the things of the Spirit, we reap the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
It's crucial to remember that God sees everything we do, every thought we think, every word we speak. Revelation tells us that books will be opened, and we will all be judged according to our deeds. This sobering reality should inspire us to live with intentionality and purpose, always mindful of the eternal impact of our choices.
But let's not lose heart! God is not a harsh taskmaster looking to catch us in wrongdoing. He is a loving Father who delights in blessing His children. 1 Corinthians 9:6-8 encourages us: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
When we give ourselves fully to God - our time, our talents, our resources - He is faithful to multiply our efforts and bring forth fruit beyond what we could ask or imagine. But this requires us to move beyond a mindset of scarcity or bare minimum giving. God calls us to live generously, to pour ourselves out for His kingdom with joy and expectation.
Consider the parable of the talents. The servants who invested and multiplied what they were given were rewarded, while the one who buried his talent out of fear was rebuked. God is looking for faithful stewards who will take what He has entrusted to them and use it boldly for His glory.
As we reflect on these truths, let's examine our hearts. Have we been taking God's grace for granted? Have we been content with a lukewarm faith, doing just enough to get by? Or are we pursuing God with passion, allowing His fire to consume everything in us that doesn't align with His will?
Let's remember that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to us who believe (Ephesians 1:18-23). We have been raised up with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places. This is not just poetic language - it's a spiritual reality that should transform how we live each day.
Every aspect of our lives - our work, our relationships, our daily choices - should be infused with the knowledge that we are representatives of God's kingdom. We are called to be light in the darkness, to demonstrate the love and power of Christ to a world in desperate need.
So let us not grow weary in doing good. Let us not become discouraged when we don't see immediate results. God's timing is perfect, and He promises that if we don't lose heart, we will reap a harvest in due season.
May we be a people who embrace both the grace and the fire of God. May we live with gratitude for His unmerited favor, while also allowing His refining fire to purify us and make us more like Christ. And may our lives be a testimony to His goodness, drawing others to the transforming power of His love.
As we go forth, let's carry this challenge: How can we sow more generously into God's kingdom today? How can we cultivate a heart that seeks to please Him in all things? May our prayer be, "Lord, consume everything in me that is not of You, and fill me afresh with Your Spirit. Use me for Your glory, that I might bear much fruit for Your kingdom."
In our walk with God, it's easy to become complacent, to take His grace for granted and forget the true nature of His holiness. But we are called to a higher standard, to remember that our God is not just a dispenser of blessings, but a consuming fire who desires our wholehearted devotion.
Many Christians today have fallen into the trap of viewing God as a celestial version of Amazon, DoorDash, or Uber Eats - a divine service where we place our order and expect swift delivery of our desires. While it's true that God wants to bless us, this limited perspective severely underestimates His majesty and misses the deeper relationship He longs to have with us.
The Bible reminds us in Ephesians 2:1-8 that we were once dead in our trespasses and sins, walking according to the course of this world. But God, rich in mercy and love, made us alive together with Christ. It is by grace we have been saved, through faith - and this is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God. This unmerited, undeserved favor is the very essence of grace.
However, we must be cautious not to abuse this grace. Some have adopted a "gravy grace" mentality, believing they can live however they please because they're "covered." This misses the point entirely. God's grace is not a license for spiritual laziness or moral compromise. Rather, it should inspire us to live lives worthy of our calling.
1 Corinthians 3:10-17 paints a vivid picture of how our works will be tested by fire. Everything we build upon the foundation of Christ - whether gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw - will be revealed for what it truly is. Only that which endures the fire will remain, and only then will we receive our reward.
This brings us to an important question: Are we building lives that will withstand the test of God's refining fire? Are we investing in eternal things, or are we merely chasing after that which will burn away?
We must also confront the uncomfortable truth that many of us approach our relationship with God with a "bare minimum" mentality. We show up late to church (if at all), barely engage in prayer or Bible study, and then wonder why we're not experiencing the fullness of God's presence and power in our lives. But imagine if God treated us the way we often treat Him - only responding to our urgent needs at the last possible moment, or showing up late and distracted when we cry out for help.
Galatians 6:7-9 reminds us, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
This principle of sowing and reaping applies not just to our actions, but to our attitudes as well. When we sow negativity, we reap more negativity. But when we sow into the things of the Spirit, we reap the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
It's crucial to remember that God sees everything we do, every thought we think, every word we speak. Revelation tells us that books will be opened, and we will all be judged according to our deeds. This sobering reality should inspire us to live with intentionality and purpose, always mindful of the eternal impact of our choices.
But let's not lose heart! God is not a harsh taskmaster looking to catch us in wrongdoing. He is a loving Father who delights in blessing His children. 1 Corinthians 9:6-8 encourages us: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
When we give ourselves fully to God - our time, our talents, our resources - He is faithful to multiply our efforts and bring forth fruit beyond what we could ask or imagine. But this requires us to move beyond a mindset of scarcity or bare minimum giving. God calls us to live generously, to pour ourselves out for His kingdom with joy and expectation.
Consider the parable of the talents. The servants who invested and multiplied what they were given were rewarded, while the one who buried his talent out of fear was rebuked. God is looking for faithful stewards who will take what He has entrusted to them and use it boldly for His glory.
As we reflect on these truths, let's examine our hearts. Have we been taking God's grace for granted? Have we been content with a lukewarm faith, doing just enough to get by? Or are we pursuing God with passion, allowing His fire to consume everything in us that doesn't align with His will?
Let's remember that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to us who believe (Ephesians 1:18-23). We have been raised up with Christ and seated with Him in heavenly places. This is not just poetic language - it's a spiritual reality that should transform how we live each day.
Every aspect of our lives - our work, our relationships, our daily choices - should be infused with the knowledge that we are representatives of God's kingdom. We are called to be light in the darkness, to demonstrate the love and power of Christ to a world in desperate need.
So let us not grow weary in doing good. Let us not become discouraged when we don't see immediate results. God's timing is perfect, and He promises that if we don't lose heart, we will reap a harvest in due season.
May we be a people who embrace both the grace and the fire of God. May we live with gratitude for His unmerited favor, while also allowing His refining fire to purify us and make us more like Christ. And may our lives be a testimony to His goodness, drawing others to the transforming power of His love.
As we go forth, let's carry this challenge: How can we sow more generously into God's kingdom today? How can we cultivate a heart that seeks to please Him in all things? May our prayer be, "Lord, consume everything in me that is not of You, and fill me afresh with Your Spirit. Use me for Your glory, that I might bear much fruit for Your kingdom."
No Comments