The sky looked like fire last night. It was breathtaking. It was glorious, mesmerizing.

Our family snapped photos. And I woke up thinking about that fiery sky. And God.

Hebrews 12:29 says “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29) who “will judge His people” (Heb 10:30).

It’s a hard passage with a serious warning.

Those who would first read Hebrews would be very familiar with the terrifying, unapproachable holiness of God on Mt. Sinai where the law was given to Moses. (Heb 12:18-21)

This is contrasted with the “coming to” of heavenly Mount Zion where believers can approach because of the blood of the perfect, eternal Lamb. (Heb 12:22-24)

But then the warning, “See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven “. (Heb 12:25).

Yes, as we see the fiery skies of fall, let’s remember, “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29) who “will judge His people” (Heb 10:30).

Let’s be very careful to not refuse HIM!

Let’s take our Christianity seriously! Let’s not neglect so great a salvation (Heb 2:3)!

Let’s be people who are careful to read the Word and live by the Word in this world that lives so opposite of that.

Yesterday morning, as listened to my daughter share at a Women’s event, she said, “God’s Word is NOT trail mix, you can’t just pick out your favorite parts and leave the rest.”

Let’s be careful to take in all the words of our consuming fire God!

Let’s ask the Lord to show us sin in our lives (not just in the lives of those around us!) and let’s not just admit it (worldly grief) but let’s confess it and repent of it (godly grief).

Mary Kassian says, “Worldly grief is self-centered; it is the loss of something we want for ourselves. We are sorry for the fallout. We are sorry for the painful mess. It results in counterfeit confession. What you’re really saying is, “I’m sorry that I got caught. I’m sorry by the consequences that I’m going to face. I’m sorry it diminished my peace and my happiness.”…

“Worldly grief is wrapped up in how it impacts me, but godly grief is inherently God-centered. We’re sorry we’ve sinned against God and that we’ve broken His holy and just law. Godly sorrow is when we are mainly sorry that we damaged our relationship with Him…. “

“Confession is about applying the gospel. It’s not something we have to do. It is something we get to do. We get to unburden ourselves. We get to feel the load lift. We get to approach God with confidence and find mercy and help in our time of need! And nothing makes us more needy than the sin we wrestle with every day. (Mary Kassian, Seeking Him 2019)

Yes! Let’s take our Christianity seriously! Let’s not neglect so great a salvation (Heb 2:3)!

Let’s be people who listen for His voice. Let’s ask Him to show us sin in our lives. Let’s don’t refuse Him when He speaks. Let’s walk away from sin and toward mercy and freedom every day, one day at a time!

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Side note- yes, I had on a KY T-shirt as I supported my Ky-fan sons yesterday, but I am very much a Tennessee girl!