SPIRIT "BURNING" AMONG TRUE CHRISTIANS.
"Beloved ones, do not be puzzled
at the burning among you, which is
happening to you for a trial,
as though a strange thing were befalling you. On the contrary, go on rejoicing
forasmuch as you are sharers in the sufferings of the Christ, that you
may rejoice and be overjoyed also during the revelation of his glory. If you are
being reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy, because the Spirit of
glory, even the Spirit of God, is resting upon you. However, let none of
you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a busybody in other
people's matters. But if he suffers as a Christian, let him not feel shame, but
let him keep on glorifying God in this name. For it is the appointed time
for
the Judgement to start with the house of God. Now if it starts first with
us, what will the end be of those who are not obedient to the good news of God?
"And if the righteous [man] is being saved with difficulty, where will the
unGodly [man] and the sinner make a showing?" So, then, also let those who are
suffering in harmony with the Will of God keep on commending their souls
to a faithful Creator while they are doing good."
(1 Peter 4:12
THE SPIRIT "BURNING" FOR A TRIAL. I say to those without prior knowledge of this Spirit "burning", that as the Spirit of God rests upon you for a trial, not only will you be puzzled at why you are experiencing the gravity of this Spirit "burning", but you will react to it according to your disposition. You are then tested. The Spirit of God is a sanctifying Spirit for one's benefit, that we might "live as to the Spirit from the standpoint of God", that is to say, according to His Spirit requirements (His Will) for us. (4:6). You may ask what this "burning" in your spirit indicates. Well, it reveals that you have been accepted as a beloved member of the household of God, that the Spirit of God rests upon you, that the Judgement of God has begun with you, and that you are to be spiritually cleansed by the teachings of The Christ. (4:17 NEB). It also indicates that you are among those who will be overjoyed at the coming revelation of the glory of The Christ. For suffering in harmony with the Will of God and humbling themselves while under test, faithful servants of God will be exalted in due time. (5:6). But while this "burning" is a sign to us of what is taking place, Jehovah will not allow the suffering of Spirit "burning" to continue throughout the remainder of our lives, for it says: "But, after you have suffered a little while, the God of all undeserved kindness, who called you to His everlasting glory in union with Christ, will Himself finish your training, He will make you firm, He will make you strong. To Him be the might forever. Amen." (5:10,11). Following the experience of Spirit "burning", and to finish our training, Jehovah permits situations to unfold in our lives that He may make us firm in spirit righteousness.
THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD'S JUDGEMENT.
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