Fire of God's Love

Analogy of the fire

Some people have no flame, they go about life indifferent towards God, not allowing Him to fire up their hearts with love. Their hearts are cold.

Some people only have embers, their faith in God is underlying and hidden, but it is still there at the back of their mind. (ex. cultural catholics)

When someone has an initial conversion, God creates a single spark that catches and starts the fire off.
If the person doesn't fuel their fire with wood (sacraments, prayer, scripture, service, fellowship, learning about the faith) then the small flame will die out quickly.

If the person does fuel the fire of their heart, then it will steadily grow until its raging.
Once the fire is raging, if it is not continually fueled then it starts to wane, but it won't die out completely unless it is abandoned altogether.
People with raging fires spread more light than people with a spark or embers or just a small fire.
More people will see the fire of love and be effected by its warmth the larger the fire is. More darkness is dispelled with a larger fire, and if it becomes large enough it can start to move, spread and consume everything close by. If it spreads enough it becomes a forest fire, eventually all will be consumed by the fire of God's love and we will be a force to be reckoned with.

The fire of God's love in our hearts can provide warmth, comfort and consolation, but can also be painful as it purifies and burns away all the sin.

Don't let your fire die!

"If you are what you should be, then you will set the world ablaze!" - St. Catherine of Sienna

Treasure Hunt Analogy

There are two teams going on a treasure hunt for the most valuable treasure of all time. There is a team leader for each team. The first team leader owns the treasure, buried it himself, wrote the map to find it, knows exactly where it is, how to get there and has been down the path himself.

The other team leader has no map, thinks he kinda sorta knows where the treasure is, pretends he knows where he is going but in reality has no clue where the treasure is or how to get there, and is only guessing and making things up as he goes along.

Which team would you want to be on?

Team God (1) or Team Self (2)?

"But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:20-21

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." Matthew 13:44

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it." Matthew 13:45-46

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves." 2 Corinthians 4:7