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Ten Watts Short of a Light Bulb
Posted by SelahV in Uncategorized
In a world filled with murder, hatred, child abuse, pedophilia and all ungodliness, it is hard for some folks to imagine a loving God. As legislators write more laws promoting and protecting homosexuality, pornography and abortion, society accepts sin as norm.
As more and more people follow the dictates of their lust for power, status and wealth, the greater corruption we find–the more idolatry we pursue. As movie moguls and television producers go further away from decency and modesty, the darker our minds become. As more Christians are persecuted unto death and fellow Christians whine over personal losses and do nothing but criticize, condemn and complain, our faith is viewed as self-aggrandizing and self-centered. As Christians succumb to the world’s influence and court the logic of its unrighteousness, truth is placed beneath a basket made of iron and buried in a valley of satan’s lies and deceit.
If our first priorities are to our positions, our status, our provisions and education, have we failed in our quest for “that good part” that Jesus wants for us? When every word we utter or write, and every thought we dwell upon, and every action we take is focused upon something other than the precious love of Jesus, will we find ourselves counted with “one thing against us“?
How bright is your light?
“For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit [consists] in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.” Ephesians 5:9 Amplified
UPRIGHTNESS OF HEART
TRUENESS OF LIFE
This triad of phrases within the verse above, grabbed my attention as I was reading through Ephesians this month. As believers and followers of Jesus, Paul exhorts us to “…walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light]“. At one point in our lives we walked in darkness without Jesus. We were literally darkness. We brought darkness into a lighted room like a wind that comes in and wipes out a candle’s flame. We absorbed the atmosphere of all that could be good and devoured it like greedy thieves. I don’t know about others, but I am fully aware of the darkness in which I walked without Jesus. I remember exactly what kind of person I was.
I was manipulative, self-saturated, deceitful and selfish. Nothing, nor no one, was more important than my own way, my own pleasure, my own needs. While I was known for random acts of kindness, they were not from an upright heart. It was from a heart filled with ulterior motives. My reason for doing anything originated from a desire to ensure I would gain from my actions. I wanted to be loved. I wanted approval. So to gain approval I did most anything I could to get approval. I did what pleased others. I said what pleased others.
Does this remind you of anyone you know today? Are there people you know who profess to follow Christ, yet you see by their every word and deed that they live as I lived before Jesus became my Lord?
When I read this verse in Ephesians, I was reminded of a kerosene lamp I keep filled in case we lose electrical power at night. When the glass chimney is covered in soot, light is limited and imperfectly distributed throughout the room. That is the same as me allowing unrighteous behavior to dictate my words and actions. Sin smears the chimney of my soul and causes a dimmer light for the world to see Jesus in me. The least amount of dirt and grime can distort any light within me.
Our righteousness must exceed that of Pharisees who preach and teach scriptures. It must be absent of malice, bitterness and strife. It must love the unlovely, forgive the unforgivable, and humbly stand in the face of all persecution. We are to do this with a generous spirit, unbegrudgingly. We must be empty of all bitterness. When we are asked to go one mile, we are to go two–without murmuring. With or without, we are to be thankful and content. In all things we are to rejoice. Faith is illustrated by the walk and talk of a believer dead to himself and enslaved to Christ. We have no possessions nor rights; for all we are belongs to Jesus. This is a reflection of the “trueness of life” in a believer whose “fruit of the Light and the Spirit” is evident in whatsoever we say or do.
When our souls are cleansed by the blood of Christ, our minds are focused on the hope in Christ, our hearts are filled with the joy of Christ, and our bodies are sacrificed to the Living Christ. Then the world will see “every form of kindly goodness” in our actions. We will exhibit an “upright heart”. And the “trueness of life” will flow like a fountain and shine like the sun. We will extinguish darkness in this world when we become greater lights. And that kind of Fruit will be appetizing to all and everyone will be able to see their way to the Light of the World. selahV
[copyrighted, hariette petersen, 2007]
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[...] marvelous chunk of engineering genious was like the post I’ve written for sbcIMPACT today: Ten Watts Short of a Lightbulb. Even the bulb from a strand of Christmas tree lights produces more light than the little blob [...]
Morning selahV,
” Does this remind you of anyone you know today ” ?
This question is very familiar reminders of someone but I’ll try not to embarrass him more than he already is, because he already is aware of his unworthyness !
I think that when we do finnally take our light out from under the basket is when we really discover that we thought we had conquered our lives, but only if we could foresee hindsight ?
Sometimes I think that is the way God designed it to be so it would make us realize how much He loves us ?
Blessings.
Ron.
hello Ron, If we know of someone, it’s always better that we not mention the “who” so we do not become like whom we know. Prayer is our only recourse in most experiences with people like that, don’t you think? selahV
Hi selahV,
Most definitely !
Blessings
Ron.
SelahV,
This is a wonderful devotion. I also have been studying in Ephesians. It has so much to say in regard to our personal walk with the Lord and how we should treat others, those within the church and those without. My eyes have been opened to quite a few things lately. Thank you for sharing the thoughts of your heart.
thanks so much Amy. I find a refresher course in Ephesians is a great thing each month. I always find something new each time I read it. selahV
Thank you SelahV for a evry helpful and encouraging reflection.
Blessed are the purer in heart for they shall see God…
IF we are not pure in heart, there will be no practical experiential knowledge of God, and if our eye is dark, how great will that darkness be.
Thank you for a much needed challenge
Steve
Selah,
I still find myself in that place. My selfishness rears its ugly head when it shouldn’t but I’m thankful He gives a greater grace! I pray everyday that God helps me not to be selfish with everything He has given me, especially that I am a good steward with the Gospel itself.
If I can be transparent for a moment, here is my problem and you steeped on my toes.
When we are asked to go one mile, we are to go two–without murmuring. Without murmuring! I am all too ready to do something for another, but so often it isn’t with the right spirit! So, please stop stepping on my toes, OK??
Blessings, Mrs. V.
Tony, that is one of my weaker areas also. I do think we must work on the rejoicing in the Lord always–in every situation–and then we might be better equipped to go the second or even third mile without murmuriing. I’m sorry if I stepped on your toes specifically, but then God is so able to tend to those little aches and pains when we let Him, isn’t He? selahV
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