BE In God's "Light"

INTRO: As we begin the ongoing observance of putting in the Unleavened Christ symbolized by eating Unleavened Bread …is there anything that might help us understand more deeply what “putting in the Unleavened Christ means, and even more …HOW to DO it more fully?

So, here’s a thought for evaluation …HOW filled with God’s “Light” ARE you? How filled with the corruptions of the world ARE you? As we have learned …the method to removing the corruption of this carnal life is to replace it with the Unleavened Christ. HOW?

God reveals HOW …by giving us what the world is rejecting, and WE may accept …HIS “Light”

BENEFIT STATEMENT: “The Light of the Body” is more important that we have discussed …

Luke 11:33-36 (NKJV) 33  "No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. 34  The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. 35  Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. 36  If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light."

           34-35 "Good eyes" (cf. Notes) admit light (v. 34); bad ones do not. The implication is that the individual is responsible for receiving light

            Frank E. Gaebelein, ed., Volume 8: Matthew, Mark, Luke, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984),

SPS: Along with God granting US His light …we are to ACTIVELY accept His Light now. We are to “put In” Christ’s Unleavened Light and therefore …BE …IN God’s Light

BODY: What is the Level of Importance God places on US understanding HIS Light?

           How God Reveals What He Is Doing WITH Us – HIS Light

Let’s continue with the comments on Luke 11:33-36 that we are reading:

Again from Frank Gaebelein -  34-35 ["Good eyes" (cf. Notes) admit light (v. 34); bad ones do not. The implication is that the individual is responsible for receiving light. ]The eye is thus a "lamp" (Iychnos), not in the sense that it emits light, but that through it (subject to the individual's will) the body receives light. The real source of light is outside the body; if we think we can generate our own light, we must beware lest that inner "light" prove to be darkness (v. 35).

36 This seemingly repetitive verse resembles in its repetitiveness and its subject Ephesians 5:13-14a. Its meaning becomes clear in the light of vv. 34-35. The body is only completely lighted when a lamp shines on it from the outside. The repetition of two Greek words is chiastic (in reverse order): holon photeinon ("whole body is full of light") and photeinon holon ("completely lighted"). The concluding holon is emphatic. The words are repeated to introduce an analogy that describes how the body is fully lighted: "As when [hos hotan] the light of a lamp shines on you." Taking vv. 34-36 together, we learn that full illumination only comes when one is willing to receive light from the lamp of God's truth.

God actually reveals His Plan by giving His “Light”:

First Revealed Utterance by God Concerning Creation

Genesis 1:3-5 (NKJV) 3  Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. 4  And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5  God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.

John 1:1-5 (NKJV) 1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  He was in the beginning with God. 3  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 8:12 (NKJV) 12  Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

Psalm 119:105 (NKJV) 105  Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

John 6:63 (NKJV) 63  It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

2 Corinthians 4:6 (NKJV) 6  For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:5-10 (NKJV) 5  This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7  But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10  If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

[Earth became corrupt (Gen 6.12); Earth is the Lord’s (1 Cor 10.26,28); We SHOULD be Taken From the Earth, BUT (Acts 8.33); SO, corruption removed from “very good” Creation …We are NOW owned by Him and FOR Him …BY access to His “Light”.]

John 18:37 (NKJV) 37  Pilate therefore said to Him, "Are You a king then?" Jesus answered, "You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."

John 17:3 (NKJV) 3  And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Matthew 27:50-51 (NKJV) 50  And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. 51  Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

           The Veil – blinding humanity to God’s Reality …HIS Light [shekinah glory]

           2 Corinthians 4:2-4 (NKJV) 2  But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3  But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4  whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Hebrews 6:17-20 (NKJV) 17  Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18  that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. 19  This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20  where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

1. Humanity’s Blindness - the Darkness of Corruption & Ultimate Death or Light and LIFE

Without God’s intervention, we are in darkness to self-worship and corruption to death

Luke 22:53 (NKJV) 53  When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not try to seize Me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness."

Isaiah 6:9-10 (NKJV) 9  And He said, "Go, and tell this people: 'Keep on hearing, but do not understand; Keep on seeing, but do not perceive.' 10  "Make the heart of this people dull, And their ears heavy, And shut their eyes; Lest they see with their eyes, And hear with their ears, And understand with their heart, And return and be healed."

John 12:44-50 (NKJV) 44  Then Jesus cried out and said, "He who believes in Me, believes not in Me but in Him who sent Me. 45  And he who sees Me sees Him who sent Me. 46  I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. 47  And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48  He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. 49  For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. 50  And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak."

GOD gives sight – Praise HIM

Luke 18:40-43 (NKJV) 40  So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be brought to Him. And when he had come near, He asked him, 41  saying, "What do you want Me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, that I may receive my sight." 42  Then Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has made you well." 43  And immediately he received his sight, and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

1 John 2:8-11 (NKJV) 8  Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9  He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10  He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11  But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Why is it that humans can be SO unlovable? God Loves them. And those who don’t love them as God does …are blinded to God’s Approach …the Light HE grants us …by US giving up our sovereignty over “our” lives and having the active trust that GOD is God – rather than indulging in self-guidance and even self-worship. THAT is blindness.

WE are NOT God. GOD is. WE may BE …in His Light

BE – ing is to be eternal. WHAT does God Reveal IS “Eternal Life?”

John 17:3 (NKJV) 3  And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

WHAT is there to KNOW about God that we don’t?

Romans 9:20-21 (NKJV) 20  But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, "Why have you made me like this?" 21  Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

           ​​​​​​​Psalm 100:3-4 (NKJV) 3  Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. [I AM]

1. God’s Light IN Us – HOW To BE …in God’s Light

           ​​​​​​​Ephesians 5:8-14 (NKJV) 8  For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9  (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10  finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12  For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13  But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14  Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light."

Owned NOW by Christ FOR HIS and the Father’s Purpose (which has been Their Design all along)

1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV) 9  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Romans 13:11-14 (NKJV) 11  And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13  Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh {fake God}, to fulfill its lusts.

           Negativity Suppresses a Proper Approach to God – [We are Created for God’s Purpose]

Philippians 4:8-9 (NKJV) 8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. 9  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:11-13 (NKJV) 11  Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Colossians 3:12-17 (NKJV) 12  Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13  bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14  But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17  And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Romans 2:11-13 (NKJV) 11  For there is no partiality with God. 12  For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law 13  (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;

And THEN we get credit …RIGHT?

Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV) 1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Luke 17:10 (NKJV) 10  So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' "

John 15:5-8 (NKJV) 5  I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6  If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8  By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

           ​​​​​​​CONCLUSION: WHAT to DO? …

           ​​​​​​​1 Thessalonians 5:4-5, 11, 14-24 (NKJV) 1  But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2  For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 3  For when they say, "Peace and safety!" then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 4  But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5  You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6  Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7  For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9  For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10  who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. 11  Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing. 12  And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13  and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves. 14  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15  See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16  Rejoice always, 17  pray without ceasing, 18  in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19  Do not quench the Spirit. 20  Do not despise prophecies. 21  Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22  Abstain from every form of evil. 23  Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

This is all about the light of giving up our body (shell) and life (God-empowered existence) for all …to become of God …being all in all FOR God WITH Christ …to Share God-Life forever!

• How God Reveals What He Is Doing WITH Us – HIS Light
• Humanity’s Blindness in the Darkness of Corruption and Ultimate Death
• God’s Light IN Us. HOW to BE …In God’s Light

CLOSE: Christ brought the Light of God our Father so WE could be filled with HIS Light, no longer self-illuminated in our corrupted self-deceptions of being “like God”.

Matthew 6:22-23 (NKJV) 22  "The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23  But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!      

John 17:3 (NKJV) 3  And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

John 17:16-19 (NKJV) 16  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17  Sanctify (set them apart from the world by Light-Truth-reality) them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18  As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19  And for their sakes I sanctify Myself (set Myself apart from the world by Light-Truth- reality), that they also may be sanctified by the truth.   

John 17:25-26 (NKJV) 25  O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26  And I have declared to them Your name [The Father of I AM], and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

[The Light of Reality setting them apart from the world, so they are IN God’s Light]

Take IN the Light given by the Father to us THROUGH Christ …and

BE …In God’s Light