"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. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:7-9).
When we believe we become “the light of the world", a light on a hill Jesus said. The nature of light is to give light, we do not hide it, we put it on a lamp stand, so all can see (Matthew 5:14). How can we be a light for all to see? One way is to be transparent, walking in the light. The definition of transparent is "the state or property of a body by which it suffers rays of light to pass through it, so that objects can be distinctly seen through it. This is a property of glass, water, and air, which when pure, admit the free passage of light."[1] When we are transparent we become that body which allows God's light to pass, so that Christ can be seen in us.
The early church was an example of this light on a hill. The people were selling their material possessions and giving the money to the apostles to be distributed to those in need. They were loving their neighbors, sacrificing their own comforts and conveniences for the good of all. The result of this unselfish spirit was grace and salvation to many; the growth of the church. “And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). Jesus said that this kind of love would be the mark of true discipleship and would show the world he was of God (John 13:35; John 17:22-23).
Transparency in the early church was a serious issue to God. There was a couple who lived among the church, Ananias and Sapphira. They also sold all they had, but kept some of the money, pretending to give it all. They sought the praise of men over God. Their sin was dishonesty, deceit, and hypocrisy. They were not transparent; implying a greater spirituality than they actually possessed, they wanted people to think highly of them. They were more interested in appearances rather than in transparency. Peter said to them, “You have not lied to men, but to God” (Acts 5:4). They died in their sin.
Which is more important, maintaining the appearance of spirituality or being genuine before God and others? Obviously cultivating the appearance alone leads to death, as seen in the biblical example of Ananias. However transparency produces in us the life of Christ and that means abundant life; fruits of the spirit. When we are transparent to others, we become accountable to them, and this provides a helpful incentive to claim God’s power to change. With our honesty comes a growing concern for God’s church. We allow the light of Jesus Christ to pass in us to bring us into His likeness. We become real and transparent; a body by which it suffers rays of light to pass through, so that Christ can be distinctly seen in us!
"Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light" (Romans 13:11-12).
Healing Begins - Tenth Avenue North
When we believe we become “the light of the world", a light on a hill Jesus said. The nature of light is to give light, we do not hide it, we put it on a lamp stand, so all can see (Matthew 5:14). How can we be a light for all to see? One way is to be transparent, walking in the light. The definition of transparent is "the state or property of a body by which it suffers rays of light to pass through it, so that objects can be distinctly seen through it. This is a property of glass, water, and air, which when pure, admit the free passage of light."[1] When we are transparent we become that body which allows God's light to pass, so that Christ can be seen in us.
The early church was an example of this light on a hill. The people were selling their material possessions and giving the money to the apostles to be distributed to those in need. They were loving their neighbors, sacrificing their own comforts and conveniences for the good of all. The result of this unselfish spirit was grace and salvation to many; the growth of the church. “And with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). Jesus said that this kind of love would be the mark of true discipleship and would show the world he was of God (John 13:35; John 17:22-23).
Transparency in the early church was a serious issue to God. There was a couple who lived among the church, Ananias and Sapphira. They also sold all they had, but kept some of the money, pretending to give it all. They sought the praise of men over God. Their sin was dishonesty, deceit, and hypocrisy. They were not transparent; implying a greater spirituality than they actually possessed, they wanted people to think highly of them. They were more interested in appearances rather than in transparency. Peter said to them, “You have not lied to men, but to God” (Acts 5:4). They died in their sin.
Which is more important, maintaining the appearance of spirituality or being genuine before God and others? Obviously cultivating the appearance alone leads to death, as seen in the biblical example of Ananias. However transparency produces in us the life of Christ and that means abundant life; fruits of the spirit. When we are transparent to others, we become accountable to them, and this provides a helpful incentive to claim God’s power to change. With our honesty comes a growing concern for God’s church. We allow the light of Jesus Christ to pass in us to bring us into His likeness. We become real and transparent; a body by which it suffers rays of light to pass through, so that Christ can be distinctly seen in us!
"Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light" (Romans 13:11-12).
Healing Begins - Tenth Avenue North