GOD IS LIGHT

"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5)

Devotion 15 of 22

KNOWLEDGE AND REVELATION

In certain circles, there is an aversion to speaking about revelation. This antagonism has occurred because of an overreaction to religious charlatans who have hawked what they call "revelation" to the masses. Their words have lined their pockets with too much money to have been the truth, and people with faith know this to be the case. However, we must not allow purveyors of falsehood to blind us to the truth of God. We can reject and even expose the falseness of their message without abandoning or hiding the revealed truth of God.

After Paul had preached and written the Gospel to the Ephesians, he prayed for them. He did not pray they would read his Epistle over and over, although that would certainly be in order. Nor, indeed, did he pray they would be directed into rich language studies, although nothing is particularly wrong with that. What he prayed did not preclude the involvement of the minds of the people, or their diligent effort to understand what he had written.

He prayed for something larger and more effectual, and we do well to follow his example. "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The EYES OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING ["heart," NASB, NIV] BEING ENLIGHTENED; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power" (Eph 1:17-19).

Later versions read "the eyes of your heart," rather than "the eyes of your understanding." Essentially, there is no difference in the meaning. The understanding is resident in the "heart," which is the inmost part of the redeemed. Contrary to the ordinary view, emotion is not the primary expression of the heart, but "understanding." The heart has been blessed when it can comprehend, discern, or understand.

Notice that enlightenment is the means of gaining knowledge: "enlightened, that ye may KNOW." Also, this enlightenment is something
that is given, not attained through human effort: the Father of glory may GIVE unto you . . . " Additionally, it is essential to note that the things to be known pertain to God: "the knowledge of HIM," "the hope of HIS calling," "the glory of HIS inheritance," "HIS power," and "HIS mighty power." These, then, are not areas of knowledge that can be accessed through academic pursuits. Further, there is no indication whatsoever that this was intended to be a temporary provision, or that it would be made obsolete with the compilation of Scripture.

First, if God were not "Light," such a prayer would have been out of order. Second, if the Ephesians did not require Divine assistance to comprehend these things, this prayer is an absurdity. Here is a petition for spiritual light--i.e., illumination. Like it or not, it was prayed for people that were not apostles--or even gifted teachers. He also prayed for those who had been exposed to a flawless Gospel, had believed it, and had been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (1:13).

Paul does not pray for an understanding of things peculiar to the first century, but for things common to the entire household of faith. He prays it for those who had already heard these things, believed them, and fled to Christ for refuge. He prays because there is more to His message than the words themselves. There are spiritual buds here that only God Himself can cause to blossom.

There is more enlightenment or illumination than is experienced when we turn from idols to serve the living God, and wait for His Son from heaven (1 Thess 1:9-10). It not only takes light to deliver us from darkness, it requires light to lead us to glory. There is more of Jesus to be known than we presently have apprehended (Phil 3:12-13). There is a "breadth, and length, and depth, and height" to our salvation that has scarcely been perceived, and we need enlightenment to comprehend it.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I confess that I want to have a greater understanding of You. I am not satisfied with my present comprehension of You. In Jesus' name, I ask You to fulfill Paul's prayer in me.

-- Tomorrow: THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION --