Post by Zac Loh on Jan 9, 2006 10:58:54 GMT -5
Like a torchlight shining into the darkness, we shine the light of Christ into the darkness of our heart.
THE NEED FOR A COVERING
Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” [Genesis 2:9-11]
Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them. [Genesis 3:21]
We know that the usage of clothing is more than the covering of the body. Surely it is more than just for the purpose of protecting us against the physical elements of the environment, and the atmosphere. In fact, we have different attires for different occasions. Our clothing defines our roles and personalities in the public eye.
Back in Eden, Adam and Eve were naked. But they didn’t see their nakedness, until they sinned. And, soon after, God provided them a covering.
For the first time an animal was slaughtered. Blood was shed for the skin to clothe them.
This pictured beautifully Christ who was sacrificed at the cross. His blood was shed to clothe us spiritually.
For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. [Galatians 3:27]
And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created us, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised not uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. [Colossians 3:10-11]
We are called to be clothed with Christ. It means putting-on Christ, the Light of Life. Jesus Christ was the Word, the Logos which has a design and pattern i.e. wisdom, understanding and knowledge that created the whole universe. And Christ is still the Word today.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. [John 1:1-5]
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. [Hebrews 13:8]
Christ is like the software, the operating system that runs the personal computer. In this case, every living thing, everything created - is made to be run by the wisdom, understanding and knowledge that are of Christ. This involves all elements spiritual and physical. He governs every concept, law and principle such as human nature, philosophy, and the law of gravity… every art and science! In other words, everything will be right, if we live and operate… by the wisdom, understanding and knowledge of Christ!
Why are the world and the earth decaying? Why is society not getting better but becoming worse? The answer is plainly simple: people have chosen darkness over light.
The spiritual system of this world, which is darkness, is founded on untruths, lies, falsehood, deception and perversion. When the spiritual deteriorates, the natural will follow suite. The destiny of people is in their choices. It is either light or darkness. There is no in-between.
Because you have said, “We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we are in agreement. When the overflowing scourge passes through, It will not come to us, For we have made lies our refuge, And under falsehood we have hidden ourselves.”
Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, And their works are in the dark: They say, “Who sees us?” And, “Who knows us?”
[Isaiah 28:15 … 29:15]
LIGHT
Adam and Eve were seeing through the spiritual light. They were not ashamed of their nakedness because they were covered with a physical light… the glory of God. [Genesis 2:25]
DARKNESS
Adam and Eve sinned. They lost the spiritual light and their eyes were opened to darkness. They were ashamed of their nakedness exposed when the covering was taken. [Genesis 3:7]
LIGHT
They were fellowshipping with God. [Genesis 2:15-23]
DARKNESS
Now they hide from God. [Genesis 3:8]
LIGHT
Spiritually, we know that we are in the light, when what we are doing is - of the light. Then there will be no darkness in-between us and God.
DARKNESS
We know what we are doing is leading us into darkness, when we tend to hide from God.
Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
[Romans 1:21 ... 28]
THE SCALES OFF PAUL’S EYES
As he jouneyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting ...”
And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
[Acts 9:3-5a ...17-18]
Paul saw Christ in His glory... the Light of Life. Paul had an experience. We too need a similar spiritual experience.
God was telling Paul using the physical symptom: Paul was spiritually blinded. Paul was a religious scholar, yet he was deceived. The anointing of the Holy Spirit came, and the scale fell off from Paul’s eyes.
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. [Revelation 3:18]
A MATTER OF THE HEART
Peter, James, John, Moses and Elijah were covered with the bright light glory of God together with Jesus at a high mountain, commonly called Mount Transfiguration [Matthew 17:1-5].
Peter, in remembrance of this Mount Transfiguration experience, had this to say:
For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” And we heard this voice which came from heaven when were with Him on the holy mountain. And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; [2 Peter 1:17-19].
And this is what Paul said:
For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. [2 Corinthians 4:6]
As Christians of the New Testament, we are now to have His glory within us, having His light shining in our hearts.
“The general descriptions, then, given of the symbolical institution and services of the Old Testament, in their relation to the Gospel, perfectly accord with the principles we have advanced. And viewed in the light now presented, we at once see the essential unity that subsists between the Old and the New dispensations, and the nature of that progression in the divine plan which rendered the one a fitting preparation and stepping-stone to the other. In its fundamental elements the religion of both covenants is thus found to be identical.”
[Typology Of Scripture, by Patrick Fairbairn]
[Typology Of Scripture, by Patrick Fairbairn]
THE LAMPSTAND IN OUR HEART
You shall also make a lampstand of pure gold; the lampstand shall be of hammered work. Its shaft, its branches, its bowls, its ornamental knobs, and flowers shall be of one piece. And six branches shall come out of its sides: three branches of the lampstand out of one side, and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side. Three bowls shall be made like almond blossoms on one branch, with an ornamental knob and flower, and three bowls made like almond blossoms on the other branch, with an ornamental knob and a flower - and for the six branches that come out of the lampstand. [Exodus 25:31-33]
There were six branches that come out of the main stem of the lampstand. So, including the mini lamp on the main stem, there were seven mini lamps altogether: six plus one, equals to seven.
Six is the number of the human race, as human were created on the sixth day.
The six branches comprises of three branches on each of the two sides of the main stem i.e. there were 3 sets of branches. There were three bowls on each of these six mini lamps. Our God is the Divine Trinity. Three is the number of divinity.
The tabernacle had three sections. The most outer section was fenced-up but exposed to the sun and the environment. It was called the `The Court’ [Exodus 27:9]. Within The Court’s compound was where the tent situation. Within the tent, it was divided into two sections. One was called `The Holy Place’. The inmost section, which was separated from The Holy Place by a veil, was called `The Most Holy’.
The lampstand was located at The Holy Place’. [Exodus 26:31-35].
Man is constituted of spirit, soul and body [1 Thessalonians 5:23]. We are a three-dimensional being. The tabernacle is a typology of the human make-up [2 Corinthians 5:1; 2 Pet 1:13-14].
Our outmost being, our body, is symbolized by The Court. Our inner being, our soul, is symbolized by The Holy Place. And our inmost being, our spirit, is The Most Holy.
The lampstand was to provide light within the tent of the tabernacle. The light of the lampstand is connected to the seeing of the pictures of our mind that stir our feelings and imagination.
The original biblical Greek for `heart’ is `kardia’. Its meaning covers both our thoughts and feelings. Recently, our academia discovered EQ (in addition to IQ). EQ stands for emotional intelligence.
Inside the tent, there was an absence of the light from the sun i.e. the light from the world. The light from the world is the false light in the pretence of the true light. The light from the world is real darkness [Luke 11:35].
And you shall command the children of Israel that they bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to cause the lamp to burn continually [Exodus 27:20].
The root meaning of the word `anointing’ in the original Hebrew and Greek has the implication `to rub with oil’.
For You are my lamp, O LORD; The LORD shall enlighten my darkness [2 Samuel 22:29]
There is an anointing of the Holy Spirit so open our spiritual eyes to see, so that our heart can be lighted-up with Christ!
There I will make the horn of David grow; I will prepare a lamp for My Anointed
[Psalm 132:17]
The five wise virgins took extra vessels for the oil [Matthew 25:1-10].
Oh! How valuable is the oil!
PUTTING-OFF, PUTTING-ON
What is the Light of Life? It is Christ revealed in us, and through us [Philippians 2:15]. How does the Light of Life help us? By putting-on the spiritual sight given by the illumination of the Holy Spirit. It is very much like adopting a mental picture thought in our imagination. We adopt a spiritual posture i.e. a character, personality or action typified of Christ.
For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus [Galatians 3:26-28]
Due to the lack of parental attention and guidance, plus the ever changing landscape of society, many people today if facing an identity crisis. One of its symtoms is the continuos looking for human idols and icons; may it be in the entertainment world, business, politics, religion, terrorism, and even in the church of Jesus Christ. Looks like the anti-christ figurehead will emerge out the vacuum in the soul created by this intensely growing identity crisis.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.[Hebrews 13:8]
The dictionary tells us that identity is a condition of being a specified person. When we become a son of God, we have a new identity, the identity of Christ. Christians shouldn't have any identity crisis because ChrisTis. Our image, our hero, our icon is Jesus Christ Who is the same yesterday, today and forever!
This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you shall no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
[Ephesians 4:17-24]
We need to be reminded to put on the new man of Christ, again and again. When I newly became a Christian, I prayed a sincere heartfelt prayer, 'God, make me more like Jesus.' I sang the song, `to be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, all I ask, is to be like Him.' But the fact remains that we have to learn Christ more - to be more like Him. There is a difference between learning Him and mere learning about Him. Learning HIm is living Him. By practicing the principles and emphasis - of His messages and teachings, by adopting His attitude and character, by conducting ourselves in His image... we will put on a whole new identity! We embrace Christ and put away all other identities. We even lose our own identity. Christ has become our identity!
do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, [Ephesians 1:16-18]
We need to ask God for the Holy Spirit's anointing of the spirit of wisdom and revelation to download, impart and infuse - the image of Christ in our imagination through the reading of the Bible. This will be happening in the realm of the spirit upon the imagination faculty of our mind. Putting-off, putting-on is also an act of our heart and will - to change our imagination. Because what we imagine will eventually result in our outward action. So our surrender, compliance and co-operation is needed!
Take for instance, when a man looked at a beautiful woman who is an unbeliever, what did he see? Did he see her as a lost soul?
Or did he imagine her as a sexual object? Putting-off means we don’t want to wear it, we don’t want to behave like that, and we put-off that imagination from our mind. Like a man removing a garment, or overcoat, from his body... it is active.
By the help of the Holy Spirit, an incision has to be made. We got to go to our imagination. We got to take hold of our imagination. Take away that scene playing in our imagination. Remove it like a film, cassette or disk in our imagination. Smash it. Destroy it. Throw it into the garbage. Kick it out. Let it be broken like a glass container. Let what is inside that container be exposed to the spiritual sunlight of the Holy Spirit, to the the heat of the Holy Spirit; until it dries-up and die. We need to be vigorous and decisive enough, and constantly do it. We cannot afford to be passive about it.
“God, grant us grace to see Christ in the Bible, and grace to consistently put-off the world, and grace to continually put-on Christ so that the world can see.”
THE MOUSE, THE POINTER AND THE CLICK
As it is today, most people are computer literate. The Holy Spirit, illuminating us with the light of Christ; reveals the wisdom, understanding and knowledge of Christ. The Holy Spirit acts in a way every much like a spiritual software program. He leads us into it, by indicating it in the Bible, and illuminating a truth of Christ in the spiritual and visual form. He is the One holding the mouse, and moving the pointer, and clicks!
Like a torchlight shining into the darkness, we shine the light of Christ into the darkness of our hearts. Our circumstance and situation may not change, but we will see it by the light of Christ. If we have darkness in the room, what do we do? Switch-on the light... and the darkness will go!
We can put-off the worldly imaginations, and put-on the imaginations of Christ. The Holy Spirit torches us with the light of life as we read and contemplate Jesus in the Bible. Being covered with the light of Christ is to see things in the light of Christ, and behave as such.
Make a decision to love to see the Light of Christ in the Bible today!