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Let light shine out of darkness ...

 
"The Church, and the world, desperately need men and women who practice the presence of God" ... at least that was my conclusion recently after having heard someone speaking who clearly spent time in the presence of the Lord. There were no whistles, bells, complex arguments, sophisticated powerpoints or hyped up human oratory, rather a simple, humble message by a godly man.

Very powerful!

In 2 Corinthians 4:6 the apostle Paul writes "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."

I was once darkness and even now, whilst in the process of increasingly understanding how complete I am in Christ, there are still areas of darkness. Yet His light continues to shine, just as He has decreed! What grace ... He get's the glory for it is HIs light that shines ... Christ in me through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.
Can we see light, or do we see what the light reveals? The light, which is unseen and eternal, reveals that which is seen and temporal, the hidden is revealed as it is brought into the light.

Paul reveals this mystery that God works both in us and through us. The light revealing what is going on in us - the hope we have, the sanctification He is working in us, the action that He is inspiring us to - all this works towards His goal and purpose to direct light into ever increasing numbers of people.

If we want 'fruitful' lives then we must be as open and willing to 'let' God work in us as we are trusting Him to work through us in the lives of others - this is surrender.
This 'tent', this mortal body, clothing the immortal, the finite clothing the infinite, the groaning, longing and hungering we experience for the day when this tension will be overcome forever. Notwithstanding the 'limitation' that we currently experience, though recognised is is no hindrance to our service - for the limitation becomes the 'model' or 'type' that shows the world the truth of the gospel. A bridge between the imperfect and the perfect.

Press on in faith!

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