LIGHT – The principle of openness, disclosure, and brining things to the light

The following is a first look into the topic of being open.  It is really important to share this biblical teaching when someone wants to keep their sin hidden.  The first passage shows this tendency to hide is the very nature of sin.  It works within to deceive our hearts, and like the second passage indicates, to ultimately choke out God's word.  We're not going to ever arrive at a place where we can claim to be without sin.  Also as 1John 1 indicates, that would be calling God a liar.  Instead, we live humbly before God, always needing to confess and shine light on our sin.  Scary the place when sin goes unconfessed and there is no need to get open.

 

John 3

a)     Vs.1-2 Nicodemus is a leader within the Pharisees and comes to Jesus at night

b)     Vs.3-15 Jesus proceeds to take the conversation to the topic of the salvation process, although Nicodemus leaves it open-ended.

c)      Vs.16-21 Jesus is Savior, not condemner; however, our response determines whether we receive the condemnation of our sin or the justification of His grace

a.      What does this passage say about light and darkness?

                                                              i.       Note the concept of "practicing" mentioned here is the same as mentioned in Galatians 5:21 and the proceeding passages—so we're talking about a life-style of persisting to sin, not an individual instance of sin.

b.     How does Nicodemus coming to Jesus at night bring to view a sort of play on words?

c.      How does the verdict in verses 19-21 implicate "believing in Jesus"?

                                                             i.       Living by the truth is coming into the light, whereas one hates the light when avoiding the exposure of their sin—personified into hating Jesus!

 

1John 1:5—1John 2:11

a)     The logical flow of this passage its language is quite clear in any translation—

a.      What does it look like to walk in the darkness…walk in the light?

b.     What is the promise for someone who is born again who walks in the light ( i.e. confesses their sin)? 

                                                              i.       Purification from all sin, from all unrighteousness, which is being continually cleansed (sanctified) by the blood of Jesus.

c.      On the other hand, what is the promise for the person who claims to be okay without living an open life ( i.e. talking about a once born again disciple of Jesus who deliberately sins after a knowledge of the truth)?

                                                              i.       Deception—lying to self, other, and most importantly to God

                                                            ii.       No fellowship with God

                                                          iii.       Not living by the truth, truth is not in us, and His word has no place in our lives

 

2Corinthians 7:8-13

What is more characteristic from this description of what godly sorrow produces?

                                            i.      Caring more how it makes you look?

                                          ii.      Caring more about how it makes the other person you committed sin with look?

                                        iii.      Or caring most how it looks in God's eyes?

Humility Lesson, Part 1

Humility is what God wants me to focus on lately.  I recently prayed for God to help me see my heart and what I need to change to be better used by Him.   At our recent Men's Retreat in Prescott, I attended a group discussion on the topic of humility.  The theme of the retreat was Mighty Man of God, based off the book by Sam Laing.  On page 22 of chapter two, Laing points out from Jesus' words in John 5:30, "If Jesus, who was the son of God, said he could do nothing apart from God, how much greater is our need!"   Mike Rock (our guest speaker at the retreat) powerfully preached about the awesomeness of Jesus to embody perfect humility.  Philippians 2:5-6 has been the most convicting: "Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage."   Even more convicting to me personally: so often I am more like Satan, who was created to praise God and contends for equality with God.  Since it is so central to the character of Christ and other great Biblical leaders, humility is obviously a key characteristic for anyone to become a mighty man.   Not only to become but to stay a mighty man!

We discussed humility "defined as having a sense of need" (Laing, p.21).  Three particular needs develop our humility: 1. The need for God, 2. The need to be open, and 3. The need to serve.  Just as humility is a must characteristic of someone who is godly, the opposite—pride, is the biggest contender against godliness.  Not flesh and blood, but the spiritual battle lines are clearly perceived, pride against humility or humility against pride!   It is always our choice who we will serve.  Are we convinced they are as opposite as good and evil?  I am convinced, and consequently resolved to wage war against Satan by going after the above areas.   I am challenged to act on what God has revealed to me lately because the Bible clearly shows a pragmatic element to believing in Christ.  James finds reason to state it emphatically, "just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead" (James 2:26 HCSB).   So regardless of what the left or right wing views within Christian theology say, the promise of spiritual life comes through a responsibility on our part.   This life is received and maintained by reliance on the Holy Spirit by specific putting to death the deeds of the body (Romans 8:13).  Perhaps time and significant progress will reveal other ways of perceiving my deepest needs, but perceiving and meeting them is always a matter of humility to God.

The next lesson will be on the opposing nature of pride and humility.