Post by Zac Loh on Sept 4, 2009 5:15:08 GMT -5
Transparency
Acts 14:11-15
Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, (Acts 14:11-15)
When treated like gods, we are tempted to be like one. Lucifer, the anointed cherub, fell like lightning. Pride goes before a fall. It happens too often.
Barnabas and Paul tore their clothes. This was the removal of any pretense. This act symbolized that they were mere mortal human. They exposed the bare facts. It was an expression of their desire to be transparent among the people.
Yet, what was finally revealed was that Barnabas and Paul actually carried the nature of the second Adam, Jesus Christ …as opposed to the first Adam.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. (Genesis 3:7)
The first Adam covered himself with fig leaves. The ones who carried the nature of the second Adam tore off their clothes. Only when there is transparency, there is the revealing of the nature of Jesus. Only by transparency, Jesus will shine through.
Their first nature was of the first Adam. Their second nature was of the second Adam. By being transparent, the nature of Jesus turned into `second nature’ for them. By being transparent, they spontaneously naturally behaved the nature of Jesus, not a pretense.
The true essence of Christ-likeness cannot be humanly duplicated or robotically copied. It is never something we do-up or put-up. It is real. Barnabas and Paul weren’t pseudo spiritual.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 13:14)
We have to remove our own clothing to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. We have to be transparent to carry the nature of Jesus. We have to tear off our own image, so that Christ will be seen and magnified.
Acts 14:11-15
Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, (Acts 14:11-15)
When treated like gods, we are tempted to be like one. Lucifer, the anointed cherub, fell like lightning. Pride goes before a fall. It happens too often.
Barnabas and Paul tore their clothes. This was the removal of any pretense. This act symbolized that they were mere mortal human. They exposed the bare facts. It was an expression of their desire to be transparent among the people.
Yet, what was finally revealed was that Barnabas and Paul actually carried the nature of the second Adam, Jesus Christ …as opposed to the first Adam.
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. (Genesis 3:7)
The first Adam covered himself with fig leaves. The ones who carried the nature of the second Adam tore off their clothes. Only when there is transparency, there is the revealing of the nature of Jesus. Only by transparency, Jesus will shine through.
Their first nature was of the first Adam. Their second nature was of the second Adam. By being transparent, the nature of Jesus turned into `second nature’ for them. By being transparent, they spontaneously naturally behaved the nature of Jesus, not a pretense.
The true essence of Christ-likeness cannot be humanly duplicated or robotically copied. It is never something we do-up or put-up. It is real. Barnabas and Paul weren’t pseudo spiritual.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, (Romans 13:14)
We have to remove our own clothing to put on the Lord Jesus Christ. We have to be transparent to carry the nature of Jesus. We have to tear off our own image, so that Christ will be seen and magnified.