"The sense I had of divine things, would often of a sudden kindle up, as it were, a sweet burning in my heart; an ardor of soul, that I know not how to express…."
"The inward ardor of my soul, seemed to be hindered and pent up, and could not freely flame out as it would. I used often to think, how in heaven this principle should freely and fully vent and express itself. Heaven appeared exceedingly delightful, as a world of love; and that all happiness consisted in living in pure, humble, heavenly, divine love."
Jonathan Edwards- selections from his personal narrative
We have been traveling and one sweet traveling companion (in reading) has been a selection of the writings of Jonathan Edwards. The descriptions above of how he experienced God have captured me. I relate to them in simple ways. Yes! I have known this ardor! Yes, I have been completely undone! And yes, knowing God in such disconcerting reality draws me into a completely humbling longing for holiness. Reading more of his writings, you can see how this drew him to prayer, and to a deep desire for heaven, where this ardor could find full expression. These encounters with The Holy changed his view of everything. All of creation appeared dramatically different and his understanding of God was forever changed.
Ardor is a 500+ year old Latin based word meaning fervency, earnestness and intensity. Its original meaning speaks of a flame, a brightly burning flame. Contemplating this definition coupled with Jonathan's testimony, I was reminded of Song of Songs 8:6 and the love of God being compared to a burning flame. His love is where it all begins.
“Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, The very flame of the Lord.” (Song of Solomon 8:6, NASB95)
This unrelenting, fiery love of God has captured us and refines us still. It is the same love of Romans 8:35-39
"Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!"
THIS is the effect of such fiery love. We are brought near and held close to this blaze. The most horrific of circumstances cannot separate us from His love. And what is the result? Inward ardor that completely disrupts our life "as usual". Romans 12:11 commands the believer to "..be fervent in spirit..", the word fervent is related to ardor, carrying a sense of boiling in its oldest meaning, sometimes translated aglow or ardent. Our spirit, indwelt by the Spirit of God, is ignited for Jesus and His Kingdom.
And this becomes our normal life, not always the glorious "feeling" of it, but the fact. A burning love that causes us to pursue and long for holiness. Zeal to share the Gospel, perhaps risking our very lives. This love of God, shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5), compels us (2 Corinthians.5:14) to serve others. There is something amazing going on inside us, whether we are conscious of it or not, or willingly fanning the flames of devotion.
We find an inward ardor that causes us to long for heaven where full expression of this deep piety awaits us. A glorious day is coming when we will join with dear Jonathan Edwards to make much of God in unrestrained, radiant joy!
All this initiated by a God who made Himself known as a consuming fire before Israel on the mountain, at the Holy Spirit's initial outpouring, appearing as "tongues of fire"(Acts 2:3) and will reveal Himself as the glorious returning King with fire in his eyes (Revelation 19:12), the Triune One ablaze in His disclosure.
Our inward ardor has been stirred by the God who answers by fire (1 Kings 18:24).
1John 4:19 "We love because He first loved us."
Perfect holy passion awakens our weak, but growing, spark of affection in response. I am convinced that the more we allow His refining, transforming love to impact our lives, giving Him free access, holding nothing back, the more fiery our own love grows in response. We obey the command to be "fervent in spirit". And God, this God whose love is forever kindled towards us, is glorified.
And life is never the same.
Never.
