Focus: The Fire Of Faith

Text: Jh.4:28

"The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men."

The woman of Samaria met with Christ and her life was radically transformed. Divine fire burned in her soul. Her heart caught fire. The well of Jacob in Sychar (that is, Shechem) served as her own Burning Bush. She felt the same thing the two disciples on their way to Emmaus felt when they encountered the resurrected Christ. They said to themselves, "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" (Lk.24:32). 

This woman's whole personality was radically altered. She came to fetch water from a great distance. She needed the water she came to fetch so desperately, and her pot was also very important to her. But the effect of the encounter she had with Christ compelled her to leave the water and her pot to run back to the city to announce Christ and the change he brought into her life. Christ meant more to her than water and pot, however important they might be.

No one meets Christ who has nothing to leave behind.

When Christ met His initial disciples, we read that "they straightway left their nets, and followed him… And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him" (Mt.4:20,22).

Peter said to the Lord, "Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee" (Mk.10:28). There is always something to leave behind while following Christ. 

You cannot remain the same after you have truly encountered the Lord Jesus Christ.

This woman of Samaria could not keep her newly found religion to herself. She felt galvanized to go public with her faith, and she left her waterpot behind for that purpose. Her water could wait, and she could care less even if she had to lose her water pot. She felt an urgency of going public with her faith. She felt her people needed to catch the fire in her soul. She said to her people, "Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?" (Jh.4:29). The same fire burned in Paul, who said, "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!" (1Cor.9:16). O how the fire burns in those who have encountered the Lord in their own Burning Bush!

Four friends did all they could to bring their sick friend to Christ (Mk.2:1-5). The fire of their faith burned through their actions. Philemon's faith and love glowed for all to see and benefit from (Phlm.1:5,6). The fire of faith will never let you sit still and do nothing for Christ. The two disciples from Emmaus, after encountering the resurrected Christ, got up immediately and traveled back to Jerusalem to relate the news of what happened to them. They couldn't wait for a moment later. Fire burned in their hearts.

The Lord Jesus Christ saw the woman's wretched life and naked soul, and touched her in all the right places and altered her life totally. The Lord prophetically undressed her. Spiritually speaking, she felt completely naked in His presence. Nothing of her was hidden to Him. But at the same time, the Lord did not reject her for what He knew about her, but rather He clothed her with grace.

How passionate are you about the things of Christ? Are you burning with zeal for the Lord? Are you sitting at ease in Zion? Are you whiling away precious time on Samaria's mountain? Are you aware that the field is white already for harvest? Is your faith only all talk and no walk, only all words and no deeds, or only all sham and no substance? Has the fire of your faith been burning since you came to Christ? Has your fire died down? If so, rekindle it! Burn afresh for your Master Jesus! 

John the Baptist was described by the Lord as "the burning and shining light." The fire at the altar was never allowed to die down by the priests. They kept it burning. Do something worthwhile with your faith! Go public with your faith! Make it known to whoever cares to know that Jesus Christ has touched and changed your life! Give the world an opportunity of hearing and seeing what the Lord has done in your life. Let the fire burn! Amen!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter