The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Corinthians 4:6,
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ."
In what is a most lofty, and heavenly/other-worldly chapter, Paul speaks of the manner in which he has comported himself in his ministry. He says "we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God", verse 2.
Contributing to this, in a reference to what God said in Genesis 1:3, Paul points to the amazing reality of something God had done. He had made the glorious radiance of his light shine in the hearts of Paul and those ministering with him! Paul explains that this gave them "the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ." Breathtaking!
God's glory displayed in the face of Jesus Christ! This reminds me of what we read in John 1:1-3, "In the beginning was the Word [the Son of God, Jesus Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
Specifically, that light is the radiance of God himself displayed in Jesus Christ. "The Son [Jesus Christ] is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." Hebrews 1:3. Here in 2 Corinthians 4 Paul claims that the light of the knowledge of God's glory is displayed in the face of Christ! And, in verse 4 Paul refers to "... the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
God does exist in a radiant splendor of glory that is truly majestic! It is of such a nature that we mortals, in this life, cannot bear to witness it. As God told Moses when he asked God to display his glory to him, he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live", Exodus 33:20. As Paul told Timothy, "... God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see." 1 Timothy 6:15-16.
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ."
In what is a most lofty, and heavenly/other-worldly chapter, Paul speaks of the manner in which he has comported himself in his ministry. He says "we commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God", verse 2.
Contributing to this, in a reference to what God said in Genesis 1:3, Paul points to the amazing reality of something God had done. He had made the glorious radiance of his light shine in the hearts of Paul and those ministering with him! Paul explains that this gave them "the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ." Breathtaking!
God's glory displayed in the face of Jesus Christ! This reminds me of what we read in John 1:1-3, "In the beginning was the Word [the Son of God, Jesus Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
Specifically, that light is the radiance of God himself displayed in Jesus Christ. "The Son [Jesus Christ] is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." Hebrews 1:3. Here in 2 Corinthians 4 Paul claims that the light of the knowledge of God's glory is displayed in the face of Christ! And, in verse 4 Paul refers to "... the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
God does exist in a radiant splendor of glory that is truly majestic! It is of such a nature that we mortals, in this life, cannot bear to witness it. As God told Moses when he asked God to display his glory to him, he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live", Exodus 33:20. As Paul told Timothy, "... God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see." 1 Timothy 6:15-16.
These are remarkable realities and our consideration of them helps us conceive what we have and who we have in Jesus Christ!
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.
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