"The Unworthy" -2

"As smoke is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God." (Psalms 68:2) Any time I see smoke and fire mentioned in Scripture, I automatically go for the reason being that of a test. That said, I see two very distinct scenarios playing out when it comes to God's Holy Fire; there is the burning away of all that is unworthy within us, and then there is the burning away of all that is unworthy of God. One is the result of the right choice, while the other is the result of the wrong choice; one is the result of allowing God to work in us, while the other is the result of refusing God to be Lord. And when I say that we must work at getting this right, I don't mean that we must depend upon our works; but we do need to put forth the effort to love God with all of heart, mind, soul and strength; it's more about caring than it is about work, because when you really care to love with all you've got, then you don't really concern yourself with your efforts to get it done, you just do it. Obviously we don't always do what is good and right; but that does not mean that we should not try. It does seem though, that the harder I try, the easier it is for me to fail. It's like I am saying, "I will not do this, I will not do this; God please help me not to do this!" And then, "Oh darn, I just did that again! What the heck is wrong with me!" It is not as effortless as you might think it should be, but like my Mom always said, "Where there's a will, there's a way." In the life of a Believer in Jesus Christ, the will is all about, Will you let Him live in you...
 "Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil - the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!) For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of His grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:1-10) NLT