The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 3:21,
"Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God."
This passage is often thought of as an explanation that those who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith come into his illuminating light where it is evident their faith is manifested by their good deeds done in the sight of God.
Here is a different thought that strikes me this morning, and I could be way off here, (so for whatever it is worth): what if what is said in John 3:21 refers back to the previous verse, to hiding evil deeds? "Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed." Verse 20. Those who live by the truth recognize all that is done, good or bad, is done in God's penetrating light, and is seen and known by him. Those of faith are willing to embrace that exposure because they are confident all their sins have been forgiven. Those who reject Jesus Christ lack the confidence of forgiveness (for good reason!)
It is as if we are being told that believers have no problem knowing and accepting the reality of what the writer of Hebrews had to say, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13. On the other hand, those who refuse Jesus Christ keep their evil deeds covered up in a vain delusion of darkness
"Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God."
This passage is often thought of as an explanation that those who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith come into his illuminating light where it is evident their faith is manifested by their good deeds done in the sight of God.
Here is a different thought that strikes me this morning, and I could be way off here, (so for whatever it is worth): what if what is said in John 3:21 refers back to the previous verse, to hiding evil deeds? "Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed." Verse 20. Those who live by the truth recognize all that is done, good or bad, is done in God's penetrating light, and is seen and known by him. Those of faith are willing to embrace that exposure because they are confident all their sins have been forgiven. Those who reject Jesus Christ lack the confidence of forgiveness (for good reason!)
It is as if we are being told that believers have no problem knowing and accepting the reality of what the writer of Hebrews had to say, "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13. On the other hand, those who refuse Jesus Christ keep their evil deeds covered up in a vain delusion of darkness
Just thinking out loud here. What do you think?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
No comments:
Post a Comment