Light out of darkness - no excuses

 How is it so?  What happens when the smallest light enters a dark space?  Vision!  Faith to "walk towards the light." Hope that all is not dark.  What does light mean to you?

All these questions are worthy of our attention but the verse in 2 Corinthians 4.6 says this: "For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness..." takes things to a whole new level.

We understand the light being referred to is "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."  However, the heart of this blogger is directed to the word "commanded."  It was not a suggestion, a recommendation or a proposal, it was a command!

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines command this way: to bid; to order; to direct; to charge; implying authority, and power to control, and to require obedience. to govern, lead or direct; to have or to exercise supreme authority over. To direct; to send.

There should be no mistaking the authority in the word "command."

So, this blogger would direct attention to another verse to further expound on the "command of light to shine out of darkness."  Romans 1.20 states, "...being understood...so that they are without excuse."

A sad statement to those who continue to walk in the darkness of their sin.  There is "no excuse."  God "commanded light to shine out of darkness." Is the Judgement Seat real?  Will we be judged for acts done here on earth that were "dark" instead of according to His will?  If one believes 2 Cor. 5.10, then the answer, of course, is yes!  AND if one walks without the Lord Jesus then the end is sad indeed.  No return from the regions of the damned. 2 Peter 2.4 and Luke 16.23

Simply concluded, 

• Will you come out of darkness? 
• Will you answer the command?

Prayerfully submitted,

Moderator

Able Ministers

So, moving on with personal devotions in II Corinthians. After determining this bloggers life is to be lived with "godly sincerity," what's next?  After understanding "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world," (I Jn 4.4), how am I an "able minister?" (2 Cor 3.6)

Continuing verse 6 of second Corinthians 3, "the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life."  Then, Paul begins to explain that all Israel could see when Moses came from the mount was the "glory of his countenance...which was to be done away." (v8)  Further, the Apostle clarifies in v 14 "their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament;...is done away in Christ."  Reading His Word is a guide but the Holy Spirit must give life to "the Word." God's chosen earthly people never understood the glory was not ON Moses but from WITHIN from God.  Luke 2.9 reveals "the glory of the Lord shone round about them."

While the advent of the Lord Jesus was of external observation per the written Word, we know the parallel could be demonstrated the same way in a believers heart.  "The glory of the Lord" was all around them.  So, His "glory" should abound from within the spirit and heart of a believer.  In Christ, "all things become new." (2 Cor 5.17)

Bottom line,  a believer is "enabled" from within by "the spirit (that) giveth life."  What goes in comes out.  Good in, good out.  Bad in, bad out.  (Phil 4.8) What is good?

• Salvation:  belief on the Lord Jesus Christ, blood, death, burial and resurrection
• Worship: daily prayer, bible reading, meditation on Him 
• Regular church attendance
• Obedience to His Word and voice regarding His will

    (All these things could be backed up with scripture, however, it is up to the individual to dig it out and     study 2 Tim 2.15)

All the points listed above will make a believer an "able minister" of the things of Christ.  Much more could be said and quoted about the way the Spirit of the Lord works  in a believers life.  It is sufficient to know that He makes us able to do His bidding and carry out "His plan." (Jer 29.11)

God bless as each reader of this blog is made "an able minister of the new testament..."