"To Be"

"To Be"

        Lucifer sought to "be like the Most High" rather than an angel.  Adam and Eve succumbed to the devil's temptation to "be as gods" rather than human (Isaiah 14:14; Genesis 3:5).  Obviously, sin involves the quest of created beings to be more or other than God made them to be.

    Righteousness must therefore involve the redemption of our hearts from the darkness of delusion unto the light of being who and what God purposes.  The Apostle Paul declared such truth to the Ephesians believers: "Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light" (Ephesians 5:8).  This requires the ongoing illumination and application of His Word by His Spirit, and the realization that we remain susceptible to the temptation to be more and other than we are.  Indeed, our doings proceed from our being, and from our perception of our being.  If we view ourselves rightly, according to the Word of God, we will consistently and increasingly walk accordingly by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Conversely, the devil, the world, and the flesh still entice us to erect a false god in our minds, an image of ourselves that conflicts with our Heavenly Father's determined purpose.  We must therefore consistently seek His light regarding who He would have us to be, and how we may live accordingly.  "In Thy light shall we see light" (Psalm 36:9).

    We exist to be the dwelling place of the Spirit of Christ.  How such "hope of glory" molds and shapes us will be different in each of us, based upon God-determined heritage, disposition, personality, calling, and relationships with other people (Colossians 1:27).  Peter will not be Paul, and Mary will not be Martha.  All, however, bear the indwelling nature and character of the Lord Jesus.  His light will shine through the particular facets of every believer in varying modes and measures of Christ's glorious goodness.  We will serve as lamps, humbly acknowledging that we possess no inherent light, but confidently asserting that we do possess the Holy Spirit who reveals in us the Light of Another.  "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day" (I Thessalonians 5:50).

    "Heavenly Father, thank You that through the Lord Jesus, You have delivered us from the darkness of seeking to be other than what You would have us to be.  Still, Father, we sometimes forget and always need further understanding regarding who and what You made and redeemed us to be in Christ.  We therefore seek Your light for this day.  Reveal to us in greater measure who You are, and who we are as related to You.  And lead us to think, speak, act, and relate accordingly for Your glory. In the name of the Lord Jesus we pray, Amen."

"It is He that hath made us and not we ourselves.  We are His people and the sheep of His pasture."

(Psalm 100:3)

"Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

(II Corinthians 6:16)

Weekly Memory Verse

   Rejoice the soul of Thy servant: for unto Thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

(Psalm 86:4)

    

Frances's Blog: http://www.cafepowderroom.com