Holy Spirit Fire

And as the people were in expectation, and all men mused in their hearts of John, whether he were the Christ, or not; John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. (Luk 3:15-18 KJV)

The people were looking forward to the promised Messiah (the Christ) coming. As such they began to wonder if this John the Baptist was indeed the Christ. In no uncertain terms John denies that he is the Christ and draws a sharp distinction between his ministry and the ministry of Christ.

Though John baptizes with water, Christ will baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire. The water that John used to signify repentance from sin is overshadowed by the Holy Ghost fire of Christ. Water is not capable of removing sin, but only of signifying its removal. The Holy Ghost sets a fire upon the heart of the regenerate that melts away sin as He leads God’s children in sanctification.

But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. (Mal 3:2-3 KJV)

Being purged of our dross is not a pleasant experience for the sinful principle that still dwells in us and wrestles against the Spirit…but it is a blessed experience for our resurrected soul! We must be willing to endure the fires of purification if love Christ and long to be conformed to His image. Indeed, we are blessed when we hunger and search after such righteousness…

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Mat 5:6 KJV)

Take note that it’s not those who have become perfect in their own righteousness…but those who hunger and thirst after it who are blessed. We strive after holiness, not caring that the scorching heat from the Holy Spirit’s fire causes pain to the fleshly principle in us, but rejoicing that His fire accomplishes the wonderful work of sanctification.

Do you seek after holiness in this way? Do you long for the Holy Spirit to consume the dross that still dwells in you that you may become pure?

This type of longing will, indeed, create fruit in your life. You will be led to the means that God has given us for fanning that fire into a consuming crucible: Scripture, prayer, the sacraments, etc.