Reading: What to Do When a Fire Rescue Fails - The Firebreak by Brian DeCook

When a Fire Rescue Fails - The Firebreak

Scripture references: Scripture references:Matt. 18:17b; Matt. 18:18-20; Eph. 6:12; 2 Cor. 10:4-5; Romans 2:4

1.         A firebreak is a gap in vegetation or other fuel sources that slows or stops the progress of a wildfire.

2.         When a brother or sister in Christ refuses to reconcile a conflicted relationship after repeated attempts (as described in Matthew 18), Jesus taught that we should treat them as if they were an unbeliever. Matt. 18:17b

3.         A spiritual firebreak represents a break in intimate spiritual fellowship with a brother or sister in Christ who refuses to repent and reconcile a broken relationship.

4.         At the firebreak, we treat the unrepentant brother or sister evangelistically, as someone who does not know the Lord, rather than as a member of the Body of Christ.

5.         The ultimate purpose of the firebreak is to reaffirm God's love for lost sheep in order to lead them to repentance and restoration.

6.         The firebreak stage of the Fire Rescue is often a place of intense spiritual warfare.It is a place for spiritual warriors and ambassadors of reconciliation.It is not a place to stand-alone. The unrepentant brother or sister is not your enemy. Matt. 18:18-20; Eph. 6:12; 2 Cor. 10:4-5

7.         Sometimes we must wait in the firebreak for days, weeks, months and even years before reconciliation occurs.

8.         It is the Lord's patience at work in us that empowers us to wait for reconciliation to occur. Rom. 2:4