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 18 of 22

SO YOU MAY KNOW

"The eyes of YOUR understanding being enlightened; THAT YOU MAY KNOW . . . " (Eph 1:18)

There are priorities in the kingdom of God, and spiritual understanding addresses them. If you are a careful student of Scripture, you will note that neither Jesus nor the Apostles prayed for ideal families and governments--although such are correctly desired. No inspired writer ever placed stress on starting churches, missionary enterprises, or the swelling of the local congregation. Whatever place may exist for all of these things, it is certainly not at the top.

I realize it is a bit risky to speak in this manner, but feel compelled to do so anyway. There certainly is not fear of being in conflict with the Word of the Living God by saying such things. Remember, I am speaking of priorities -- emphasis -- the thrust of teaching. A phenomenal amount of time is being spent by professed Christians on issues that are, at the very best, secondary. Many of them are so inconsequential, they cannot even be ranked.

No church was upbraided for their families being structurally deficient, though that condition surely existed. You never read of a church being soundly rebuked because their men were not the "priests" or leaders of their households, though that condition probably existed also. The rearing of children, community involvements, concern for the poor, etc., were never matters of priority with the Lord Jesus and His Apostles. Whenever these issues were addressed, they were always secondary, never primary.

Whatever you may think of these mundane conditions, they cannot be allowed to take the precedence over kingdom priorities. Remember, it is in God's light that we see light. When we apprehend God, as is possible in Christ, we gain the advantage in areas of domestic and social obligation, even though Divine light gives no guarantees of excellence in those realms.

There is a reason why social, domestic, and political issues are not the hub upon which the Kingdom of God turns. First, the Kingdom administered by the Lord Jesus is an "everlasting Kingdom" (Dan 4:3; 2 Pet 1:11), and all of the issues mentioned above are temporal. An eternal Kingdom cannot have a temporal foundation, center, or thrust. Second, temporal matters can be addressed without a fellowship with Christ, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, or the grace of God. I understand such approaches are not good, and that they will not yield glory to God. Notwithstanding, they can all be approached in the energy of the flesh, without any consistent or deep regard for the Lord. A person can be billed as an "expert" in these areas who is walking at a distance from the Lord.

Proper approaches to any earthly matter requires a solid spiritual foundation. A proper understanding of the lesser things requires enlightenment concerning the fundamental things. Our text deals with this very matter.

There are three primary areas requiring divine illumination. They are all pivotal, and will yield a large and satisfactory spiritual harvest. These are spheres where spiritual ignorance is lethal. If they are not comprehended, everything else becomes obscure. The assurance of faith, so necessary to overcome the world, cannot be produced apart from illumination in these areas. They are hope, God's inheritance, and the power that is devoted to those in Christ Jesus. These are the things for which Paul prayed. (Eph 1:18-20).

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant me grace to obtain, and maintain, a proper focus. Help me to avoid getting caught up in issues that have no eternal relevance.

-- Tomorrow: THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING --