Radiation is a thought that weighs heavy on many people today. My heart goes out to the people who are suffering from nuclear accidents and the associated radiation. In Japan, the people are dealing with a radiation that cannot be detected except by special detectors and the effect it has on the environment. That is only one kind of radiation. Our sun radiates heat. In our homes, heat radiates from a source. Light radiates from a light bulb. Sound radiates from a radio. Radiation really speaks about a behavior. And it is the behavior that we can learn from.
This radiation has a strong source and emanates from the source and is touching the world. If you get close enough to what is radiating and stay long enough, you will be changed and will also radiate. The dictionary defines radiation as a process and a behavior as well. “The process in which energy is emitted as particles or waves. The complete process in which energy is emitted by one body, transmitted through an intervening medium or space, and absorbed by another body. the energy transferred by these processes. The act or process of radiating. Something that is radiated.”
Heat and fire are common things that radiate. God uses fire to explain Himself. “”Is not My word like fire?” declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 23:29, NASB95) John the Baptist said that for those who follow Christ, there will be an immersion into this fire. “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ” (Luke 3:16, NASB95) Jesus Himself is a fire. “”And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: ” (Revelation 2:18, NASB95)
God showed himself in the fire to Moses (Ex 3:2). God guided Israel by a pillar of Fire (Ex 13:21). God spoke from a mountain of fire (19:18) that transformed Moses. The fire reflects the presence of God. The fire is the fullness of the burning love of God. “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. ” (1 John 4:16, NIV84)
God desires that everyone participate in His fire. He wants us all to draw close. “Everyone will be salted with fire. ” (Mark 9:49, NIV84) “and anything else that can withstand fire must be put through the fire ” (Numbers 31:23, NIV84)
When we become immersed into the presence of God, we are changed. What is unholy burns away. What stays reflects the goodness of God. When we go deep into the fire, we become transformed. Soon we are able to radiate that same fire to others. By our presence, because we have been in the fire of God, we radiate and influence the world around us.
Could it be that the world does not feel the effects of God because those who say they believe refuse to enter the fire? What will happen if you spend hours in the Word of God and in prayer? What will happen if you pray and ask God to consume you? What will happen if you ask God to search your heart and change you?
You then will begin to radiate the character and the love of God. As you spend time in the fire, you will become a fire carrier. As you become radiated yourself, you find power to radiate to others.
Peter radiated the love and power of God. His shadow even radiated healing. “As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed. ” (Acts 5:15–16, NIV84)
Paul radiated the love and the power of God. His sweat filled handkerchiefs brought healing. “so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. ” (Acts 19:12, NIV84)
Paul and Silas radiated the fire of God through their worship and their singing. “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ” (Acts 16:25, NIV84) Soon, the prison became a place of freedom.
Phillip radiated the love of God in the desert and Ethiopia heard the Gospel.
If you are not radiated, then I encourage you to spend time with God and His word. Open your heart and be transformed by the love of Christ. Soon you will radiate as well.
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