“SOME THROUGH THE WATERS, AND SOME THROUGH THE FIRE…”

“SOME THROUGH the WATERS, and SOME THROUGH the FIRE, but ALL THROUGH THE BLOOD” may sound like a strange heading. Such a heading sounds jarring, if not out of place, in these days where the popular discourse in the churches, Christian gatherings and discussions among Christians is that of miracles, healings, prophecies, promotions, blessings and wealth. Don’t you think so?

The LORD Jesus, speaking to the disciples and all those who ever wanted to follow Him had said…
– “20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” – Matthew 8:20
– “23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me…25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” – Luke 9:23,25

What it means to be a disciple of the LORD Jesus Christ – one who follows Christ the LORD – a Christian – is certainly altered beyond recognition. The modern day version of Christianity is far removed from the truth that the Bible authenticates. The written Word of God records this about all those who walked before us.
– “35…Others were tortured…36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise,” – Hebrews 11:35-39

The above words from the LORD Jesus and from other writers in the Bible should help us in the proper observation, analysis and application of the core purpose of a disciple, his life and his walk. This is summed up exceptionally well by G. A. Young, in his 1903 English hymn, *”God Leads Us Along”* – whose refrain is as follows…
– “Some through the waters, some through the flood, some through the fire, but all through the blood; some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, in the night season and all the day long.” – G. A. Young

Dear brothers and sisters, what song are we singing “in the night season” and “all the day long” of our lives? What “teachings” are shaping our faith? What thoughts are influencing our walk with the LORD Jesus? What is our understanding of who a Christian is? How do we see our journey of faith as the disciple of the LORD Jesus Christ?

Beware the teachings that are prevailing in this world. Be diligent to compare them to what the LORD Jesus says in His Word. Be careful not to fall into the trap of following the crowd. Many a Christian has become useless for the Kingdom of God, because they chose to walk the popular “christian” path. 

Unless gold is made to go through fire, it will not come forth clean and purified. Unless a Christian goes through trials, testings and storms, we will not be purified of all the filth that fills our hearts and minds. If ever we pray, let us pray that our LORD would purify is and make us “worthy” of His Kingdom. Even so, the LORD help us.