Be Careful little Eyes What You See..

I appreciated reading this, so thought I'd pass it on.

Be Careful Lest the Light in You Be Darkness

Pondering a Puzzling Text

Download: By John Piper July 22, 2009

No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. 35 Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light. (Luke 11:33-36)

Just before these verses, Jesus says, “Something greater than Solomon is here . . . Something greater than Jonah is here” (Luke 11:31-32). That is, the wisdom of Jesus exceeds the greatest human wisdom, and the resurrection of Jesus will be greater than most spectacular human rescues and resuscitations.

The question Jesus then addresses is: Do we see this for what it is—magnificent and compelling, so that it becomes the light and joy of our lives? He talks about seeing—and about two lamps.

The first lamp:

Verse 33: No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.

I take this to refer to what Jesus has just said about his wisdom and resurrection: “I have set a lamp in the world: my wise and powerful presence—greater than Solomon and greater than Jonah. I am the light of the world (John 8:12; 9:5). I am the lamp that must not be hidden or missed.

The second lamp:

Verse 34: “Your eye is the lamp of your body.”

I take this to mean that the way the lamp of Jesus becomes a lamp for you is that you see it for what it really is. Your eye becomes the lamp of your body when you see the lamp of his greatness in the world.

He elaborates: “When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness.” In other words, if your eye sees me for who I really am, then you are full of light; but if you don’t see me for who I am, then you are full of darkness.

Then Jesus says, “Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness.” In other words, there is much that passes for light through the eye that is not light. There are many bright things in the world that keep us from seeing the true light of Christ—just like city lights keep you from seeing the stars.

“Be careful!” This is the only imperative in the text. Be careful what you see! Be careful what you regard as bright and attractive and compelling. If it is not Christ, you will be filled with darkness—no matter how bright it seems for a season. Candles seem bright until the sun comes out. Then they are useless and put away.

Christ is the glory we were made to see. His light alone will fill us and give the light of life and meaning to every part of our lives. And when that happens, we ourselves will shine and give off the rays of Christ. “If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”

Lord, open the eyes of our hearts to see the supreme greatness of your wisdom and power. Make our eyes good. Heal our blindness. Fill us with the all-pervading, all-exposing, all-purifying, all-pleasing light of your presence.

Seeking to see with you,

Pastor John

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© 2009 Desiring God

Checking In.

I'm still around and have been learning this week.

Lesson 1: It is foolish to hike to the top of a "bald" mountain without sunscreen.

Lesson 2: Centers around a rather complex conversation that has been ongoing over at Just a Simple Guy . The subject of the original post was the eschatological framework known as amillenialism, which was a totally new concept to us. That's where I've been spending most of my blog-time this past week. The main part of the discussion involves two dispensational pre-trib rapturists (one Calvinist and one Arminian), Craig and myself. None of us sees things in precisely the same way, and our interaction has been very interesting as well as a blessing.

Anyway, what I am learning is that sometimes, there are more important things than having "all the answers". As much as I would like to have a belief system that makes sense to me, I am enjoying the process of seeking God's truth and listening to the perspectives of others who also are being prompted by the Holy Spirit to search Scripture and meditate on God's Word. Like Craig says, God often will answer my questions with what I need to know rather than what I think I want to know. Besides, I'm the type of person who is likely to stop asking God for answers if I think I have them all.

I'm "chewing" on some other stuff as well but don't really have much more to say right now.

Independence Day Contemplations

July 4th

Today, Craig and I will have been married for 17 years. I remember him telling me about the teasing he got from his co-workers concerning our choice of date (it wasn't a deliberate move, but the story is off this subject). For some, it was apparently hilarious that he was taking on the "old ball and chain" on the day which has been designated to celebrate our country's freedom from oppressive governmental rule. I suppose it shouldn't surprise me at all if worldly-minded people see marriage as being a burden rather than a blessing.

Today, neither of us feel as though marriage has been a type of prison. Yes, our lives have changed. And yes, some of the freedoms which we exercised before taking our vows have been left behind. The addition of children has both complicated things and multiplied the blessing and joy of being "a couple". Over the years, we have had to learn how to look outside of our own wants in an effort to do what is best for the other. And, although we have had a few bumps over the years, I can honestly say that we have had a beautiful and ever-deepening relationship. We only have God to thank for our "success" as He has grown us together in Him. Today, I actually have a concept of what it means to "love" my husband--and Christ. I think it is no accident that God gave us marriage as a picture of our relationship with Him.

Happy Anniversary, Craig!

Freedom in America.

We take so much for granted here. How often do I forget to thank God for my right to free speech, choice of religion and lifestyle? We have the ability to step out in a public atmosphere and not be accosted. We are told we may assemble peacefully in public situations and that we have the ability to exercise our Constitutionally provided rights privately, at home.

Things may soon be changing. Recently, various laws have been passed and allowances have been made in the name of "tolerance". Americans tend to pride ourselves in our ability to "get along" with each other. However, being nice and welcoming "all religions and belief systems" into our country does not mean the favor will be returned.

I suppose growing hostility and intolerance within our own borders should not be surprising to American Christians. As another blogging friend observed, God does not bless those nations who do not obey Him.

Freedom around the World.

In sobering contrast to the festivity of our annual 4th of July celebration, is the lack of freedom for many believers in other countries under rule of Communism, radical Hinduism and Islam. I am again reminded to take time to pray earnestly for those who are born, live and die under severely oppressive regimes which Satan uses to try to stop the spread of the saving Truth of the Gospel. Interestingly, persecution only seems to fan the flames of spiritual awakening, and God gets the glory for bringing His light to the darkest corners of the world. Perhaps we need a good dose of persecution to send us running back to our First Love?

Freedom in Christ.

Regardless of worldly status, all those who have been purchased and redeemed by Christ's blood are freed from slavery to sin and freed to come before Him without shame. I believe one must be cautious in ripping verses out of context in order to make a point...but some passages came to mind, so I thought I'd share them here.

Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor abusers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful to me, but not all things profit. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:9-12

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. But the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1

There cannot be Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is no male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

For he who is called a slave in the Lord is a freed man of the Lord. And likewise, he who is called a free man is a slave of Christ. You are bought with a price, do not be the slaves of men. Each in whatever way he was called, brothers, in this remain with God. 1 Corinthians 7:22-24

No servant can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Luke 16:13

Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made us free, and do not again be held with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

Thank you Jesus, for taking my place on the cross, triumphing over sin and death, for constantly bringing to my attention areas of sin, granting me repentance and remaking my human nature so that I may more accurately reflect your likeness.