What Spiritual Lessons Can We Learn from the California Fires?
What Spiritual Lessons Can We Learn from the California Fires?
1. Life is uncertain "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away" (James 4:14). Life is uncertain. You might die unexpectedly. Are you prepared to meet your God? Are you living in light of eternity? Do you have assurance that your sins are forgiven and if you die now, that you will go to heaven? As of this writing, 79 people have died in the California fires. What if it were you? Are you prepared? 151,600 people die every day around the world. Are you ready? The Bible says, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27). 2. The World is passing away "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:15-17). "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matt. 6:19-20). "But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men" (2 Peter 3:7). "Looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?" (2 Peter 3:12). Where is your heart? Are you putting your affections on the things of the world or on things above? Hundreds of people lost their homes and their cars unexpectedly during the California fires. Many famous actors and celebrities lost their possessions also. This is a lesson not to put our hopes in this world. The fires in California are only a small picture of that day when God will destroy the whole world with fire and create "new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). 3. Hell is real "Where 'Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched'" (Mark 9:46). "And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name" (Rev. 14:11). The California fires are only a small picture of the reality of the fires of hell which will never be quenched. Repent and look to Christ to be saved! "Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, And He will have mercy on him; and to our God, For He will abundantly pardon" (Isaiah 55:6-7). "To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins" (Acts 10:43). Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). "Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other" (Isaiah 45:22).
