Category Archives: Enlighten

Bible, Darkness, Enlighten, Light, Scripture, Shining

BE THE LIGHT

ROMANS 2:19

“and are confident that you yourself are a guide to people who are blind, a light to those in darkness,”

Did you know that darkness cannot quench light? Even the smallest light can pierce the darkness. Ever been camping on a cloudy night with no stars or moon? It gets pretty dark. But light just one lantern or start a small fire and watching the darkness flee. We have a calling to be light in the darkness, to drive away the encroaching darkness, to dispel any absence of light. Today’s verse is a challenge to us.

This is the third verse of Paul’s address to the Jews which began with an “if” back in verse 17. In today’s verse he challenges the Jews to be “a guide” and “a light.” It was unfortunate that these Jews were walking blind in the darkness themselves (we’ll see that addressed in verses 21-23). The word for “guide” is hodégos and is only used four other times in the New Testament. Three of those times it is used by Jesus when He refers to the Pharisees as “blind guides” (Matthew 15:14; 23:16, 24). It makes you wonder if perhaps Paul heard Him say this.

APPLICATION

But let’s focus on the word “light.” That’s the Greek word phós. Of the 73 times that word is used in the New Testament, John uses it 33 times in his gospel, 1 John and Revelation. Do you think light was important for John? I do. He walked with The Light for three years. He saw The Light transformed before his very eyes. He saw The Light seemingly quenched at the crucifixion only to burst forth in brilliance once again at the resurrection. Light was important to him.

In John 1:4-5 we read, “4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. 5 And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it.” I really like verse 9 in this first chapter of John. “This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person.” Did you see that? The true Light enlightens us. We have His light within us!

So, why don’t we shine more brightly? Because we have allowed the world and our own sins to darken the lense of our soul. We are afraid to shine brightly. We are ashamed of the Light. Brothers and sisters, cast off any dimming element in your life today and allow the light of Jesus to shine brightly in a dark world. Then watch the darkness flee.

Light of the world, You shine down into darkness, Open my eyes, let me see.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Enlighten, Light, Manifested, Scripture, Visible

THE VISIBLE LIGHT

EPHESIANS 5:13

“But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.”

Have you ever been a room when the sunlight beamed through the window? Maybe it was coming through the window blinds. When it did, you could see rows of light in the room. It would almost seem you could reach out and touch them. Wouldn’t it be great if you could reach out, grab them and fold them up to use later? That would be way cool. Light changes things. It shows whatever it touches.

Paul uses a pretty common word in this verse by “visible.” It’s the Greek word “phaneróō (from phṓs, ‘light’) illumine, make manifest (visible); (figuratively) make plain, in open view; to become apparent (‘graspable’).” (HELPS Word Studies) Paul is telling us that everything will become visible one day. God’s light exposes the darkness. We cannot hide one single thing from His beam of brightness.

APPLICATION

Have you ever wondered why bars and nightclubs are so dark? People don’t want deeds of darkness exposed. Look at 1 John 3:2 where we find phaneroo used again. “Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.” When Jesus becomes visible to us again in His second coming, we will “appear” like Him. Wow!

John used this word nine times in his first letter (1 John). In 1 John 4:9, he says, “By this the love of God was revealed in us, that God has sent His only Son into the world so that we may live through Him.” God’s light and His love is made visible in us. We are the light and love of God to a lost and dying world.

One more example – Colossians 3:4 says, “When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.” Now, that’s shouting ground! We will be revealed with Him in glory. What was made visible in us will be eternal. Hallelujah, praise the Lamb!

Father, let Your light shine through me making visible Your love to others.

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Bible, Darkness, Distractions, Enlighten, Expose, God's Will, Light, Scripture

ENLIGHTENMENT

EPHESIANS 3:9

“and to enlighten all people as to what the plan of the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things;”

The Encyclopdia Britannica (remember that?) defines the period of Enlightenment this way. “Historians place the Enlightenment in Europe (with a strong emphasis on France) during the late 17th and the 18th centuries, or, more comprehensively, between the Glorious Revolution in 1688 and the French Revolution of 1789. It represents a phase in the intellectual history of Europe and also programs of reform, inspired by a belief in the possibility of a better world, that outlined specific targets for criticism and programs of action.” Confused? Don’t worry. Many of those who tried to inact and understand this period were also.

Paul tells us in today’s verse what true enlightenment is. The word “enlighten” is the Greek word phótizó. It literally means to bring to light, to illumine. Paul is saying he had the privilege to shed light on the hidden secrets of God. He had been shown these things in order to share them with others, to open their eyes to “the mystery is which for ages has been hidden in God.” Now, Jew and Gentile alike are privy to God’s grace when they come to Jesus as Savior and Lord.

APPLICATION

My wife and I have several landscape lights in our yard. They are solar powered and come on when it gets dark. We have some other solar powered lights in our backyard that are also motion sensored. They stay on a dim mode until something passes in front and then “Whamo!” they light up the night. When we first moved in our house, we didn’t know what was happening. Our bedroom window faces the backyard, so when something triggered those lights, we woke up thinking someone had turned on our bedroom light. (we have taken down a couple of those lights now, lol).

Why did I share that little story about our backyard lights? Those lights come on when something unexpected is in our vicinity. It exposes it and often causes it to run away. God shines the light of His Word on things in our lives in order to expose them and to help us recognize them. 1 Corinthians 4:5 tell us, “Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of human hearts; and then praise will come to each person from God.”

Do you have anything in your life that needs to be enlightened? If the Lord exposed all your inner thoughts, would you be embarrassed? God does shine on every part of us through His Holy Spirit Who lives within us. Let His light illumine only Jesus.

Father, shine Your light on me and illumine my pathway.

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