Word@Work Luke124 - Luke 8:16-18
Published: Mon, 06/14/10
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE LIGHT SEARCHES INSIDE AND OUT
Luke 8:16-18 "No-one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed; and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him." (NIV)
Why light a lamp or switch on a light bulb? Obviously, in order to see well. But some people prefer to live in the darkness, so that their actions cannot be seen: their choice speaks volumes about their character. Truth is like light. If we hide it from others, they cannot know what is good, and if we hide away from it ourselves or fail to put it into action, it reveals our own moral make-up.
The disciples had wanted to know the meaning of the parable of the sower. When Jesus told them, He 'turned the light on' so that they could understand their commission to distribute God's Word, but also be prepared for different people responding according to what was in their hearts. Their reaction to the gospel would display their true inner desires because it both illuminates God's plan and searches people's hearts at the same time. So, God's truth is both a picture and a mirror.
Therefore, what we do with the truth we receive is more significant than we may have thought. If we ignore it, why should God reveal more? If we hide from it, our action says more about us than about the quality of God's Word. If we share it, we are living a life of purpose, but if we hide it from others we have forgotten what our purpose in life is. On the other hand, if we receive it with joy and allow it to work in our lives to produce Christ-likeness, then we will be greatly productive in the 'family business' of God's Kingdom.
Prayer: Dear Lord God and loving Heavenly Father. Thank You for your wonderful ability to communicate with human beings through Your Word. Please help me to honour You properly by taking notice of what You are saying in the Bible, and then taking the right action with Your help. Forgive me for the times when I have presumed on Your grace, ignoring Your desire to speak to me, and then making up a lifestyle to suit my desires instead of Your purposes. May Your Word shape me today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Why light a lamp or switch on a light bulb? Obviously, in order to see well. But some people prefer to live in the darkness, so that their actions cannot be seen: their choice speaks volumes about their character. Truth is like light. If we hide it from others, they cannot know what is good, and if we hide away from it ourselves or fail to put it into action, it reveals our own moral make-up.
The disciples had wanted to know the meaning of the parable of the sower. When Jesus told them, He 'turned the light on' so that they could understand their commission to distribute God's Word, but also be prepared for different people responding according to what was in their hearts. Their reaction to the gospel would display their true inner desires because it both illuminates God's plan and searches people's hearts at the same time. So, God's truth is both a picture and a mirror.
Therefore, what we do with the truth we receive is more significant than we may have thought. If we ignore it, why should God reveal more? If we hide from it, our action says more about us than about the quality of God's Word. If we share it, we are living a life of purpose, but if we hide it from others we have forgotten what our purpose in life is. On the other hand, if we receive it with joy and allow it to work in our lives to produce Christ-likeness, then we will be greatly productive in the 'family business' of God's Kingdom.
Prayer: Dear Lord God and loving Heavenly Father. Thank You for your wonderful ability to communicate with human beings through Your Word. Please help me to honour You properly by taking notice of what You are saying in the Bible, and then taking the right action with Your help. Forgive me for the times when I have presumed on Your grace, ignoring Your desire to speak to me, and then making up a lifestyle to suit my desires instead of Your purposes. May Your Word shape me today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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