BURNING AND SHINING
John 5:35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light.
Christianity is more than having right beliefs (though our doctrinal accuracy is essential), but it also consists of a heart aflame with God’s love. In today’s scripture verse Jesus is describing John the Baptist as a prophet burning and shining with the light of God’s glory. His mind had a great revelation of the coming Messiah and his heart was consumed with God’s love for mankind. Jesus said that John was burning and shining with the glory of God. Jonathan Edwards preached from this verse speaking about the excellency of a gospel minister. Not only should our ministers be burning and shining, all Christians should carry those traits; a mind shining with the revelation of God and a heart consumed with His love. Here is how Edwards said it.
“It is the glory of the sun that such a bright and glorious light, and such a powerful, refreshing, vivifying heat, are both together diffused from that luminary. When there is light in a minister, consisting in human learning, great speculative knowledge, and the wisdom of this world, without a spiritual warmth and ardor in his heart, and a holy zeal in his ministrations, his light is like the light of an ignis fatuus, and some kinds of putrefying carcasses that shine in the dark, though they are of a stinking savor. And if on the other hand a minister has warmth and zeal, without light, his heat has nothing excellent in it, but is rather to be abhorred; being like the heat of the bottomless pit; where, though the fire be great, yet there is no light. To be hot in this manner, and not lightsome, is to be like an angel of darkness. But ministers by having light and heat united in them, will be like the angels of light; which for their light and brightness are called morning stars. Job xxviii. 7. “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” And because of that holy ardor of divine love and zeal with which they burn, they are compared to a flaming fire. Psalms civ. 4. “Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flaming fire,” and are therefore called seraphim, which is a word that is derived from a root that signifies to burn.”
John the Baptist had a clear revelation of the true ministry of Christ. He saw Him as the sacrificial lamb slain for the sins of man. John also saw Jesus in His heavenly ministry, He would be the Baptizer in the Holy Spirit when He took His place at the Father’s right hand. Today, those two revelations will cause us to be burning and shining lights. We see Him as the lamb of God and our hearts are consumed with His love. We then see Him in His present heavenly role as our heavenly Baptizer, this causes us to be literally overcome with with His love. Lord make us all burning and shining lights.
2 thoughts on “BURNING AND SHINING”
Did someone mention Elevator Music??? “Let Me Be A Shining Light For You.” Oh My God, to be filled with Your holy ardor of Divine Love and Zeal!!! To be as Angelic Spirits of Flaming Fire, Burning for You, Lord, and called Seraphim!!! Oh, this is So Elevating my Understanding: that as Jesus is now on The Right Hand of Abba Father, that He is also our Heavenly Baptizer in The Holy Ghost, and He Alone causes us to possess His Wonderful Love, Joy, Peace, and we are unspeakably filled with Adoration!!! Thank You Most Merciful and Loving Father, Thank You In Jesus’ Precious Holy Name, Amen. Now and Forever, Glorify, Honor and Praise Thy Name. We Worship You Lord, In Spirit and In Truth, Amen.
Holy Ardor, I feel it and hear it: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, All The Saints Adore Thee, All Thy Works Shall Praise Thy Name In Earth, And Sky, And Sea…”