The purifying fire

On the second floor of our church is suspended a large painting representing a Salvation Army rally in the streets of New York in the early 1900s. The Salvation Army cry of war, or slogan, was "BLOOD AND FIRE." Blood represented the blood Jesus had shed to save all peoples and the fire represented the Holy Spirit who was sent to equip believers and transform lives.

Catherine Booth, wife of William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, understood the importance of fire as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Known as the mother of the Army, Catherine became very famous. I once read something she had said and I have never forgotten it, even though I have to paraphrase because I can not remember the source. Around the 1890s, she said : "I have traveled all over the country and have heard many eloquent words and many messages that were real masterpieces. But after what sighs my soul, these are burning words."

Catherine wished to hear anointed messages, which penetrated, touched, and produced the breaking of the heart. She felt her need and knew that external change first took place inside. She was a leader who taught the Word of God and understood the difference between sermons that are only words and those that God inspired to change lives.

The Prophet Malachi wrote : "[God] will sit, melt and purify money ; He will purify the sons of Levi, and purify them as gold and silver are purified" (Malachi 3: 3).

When the Holy Spirit searches our hearts, He is like a purifying fire. Just as a good fire burns the slag and the impurities, the unworthy things are burned and disappear from our lives when we allow the Spirit to accomplish His work.

David Wilkerson