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Thoughts on Amos 4:11 Elder Philip N. Conley

As with the previous analogies, the effects and properties of the fire will only last
dependent on the time in the fire. Our first state in the fire of sin in Adam would have
been forever for us, but not for the grace of God. Our current state in the fire of grace

is forever by the eternal work of God of salvation to us. However, the properties of
life's daily "sin fires" and "grace fires" are dependent on the time we spend in them.
While removing ourselves from the "sin fires" of daily life will begin the process of
cooling from them, we may experience a period of heat from our time in that lifestyle

and company. So, likewise, we may enjoy and remember some of the heat from God's
spiritual service in His church after we have ceased attending, but that will eventually
cool without some re-entering the blaze with the other firebrand.

How much stock do we put in ourselves to "influence others?" No matter how cool
the firebrand is before going into the fire, it will heat up. Knowing that we are influ-
enced by others (probably more than we would like to admit), may our walk seek to
enter the fires of spirit and truth with those that seek the Lord in that manner. May our

steps flee from those fires of idolatry, adultery, heresy, envying, strife, and all other
works of the flesh. Certainly, God has plucked us from our captivity of sin and death
to rest in the captivity of His love. Still, like Israel of old, we can fail to return to Him,
thereby experiencing the captivities of Assyria or Babylon. May we return to Him

and continually enjoy the blessed warmth of the fires of Canaan's Land that are lit
from the eternal fire of grace from heaven's pure world.