Preserving Fire
J. B. Converse. Mark 9:44-48 Where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched.… Preserving fire, or salting with fire. Decay is a species of burning; and only those things that have been burnt, or cannot be burnt, will not decay. I. TEMPTATION IS A PRESERVING FIRE. The boy who has been sheltered at home is honest; but his integrity is not as firm as that of the honest merchant. The clay (Isaiah 64:8) is soft and plastic; but after it has been burnt in the furnace it will break before it will bend. All must pass through the fire of temptation. If you are to be a vessel of honour fit for the heavenly palace, the Lord must be your potter. II. AFFLICTION IS A PRESERVING FIRE. The metal comes forth from the furnace more useful (Malachi 3:3). III. THE DAY OF JUDGMENT IS ALSO COMPARED TO A FIRE (1 Corinthians 3:13). Fire is a searching test. All paint, enamel, pretence of every kind, will melt before it. Its results are enduring. All must pass through the fiery ordeal. Only such works can stand as proceed from gospel love. IV. ANOTHER PRESERVING FIRE IS THE FIRE OF HELL. The misery of hell is two fold: sin and its punishment. (J. B. Converse.) Parallel Verses KJV: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. WEB: 'where their worm doesn't die, and the fire is not quenched.'