Light, 1of3

~ 7 Characteristics of Light ~

Background  ~  “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16).  

Consider just seven on the many interesting characteristics of light:

Light Is A Pure Element  ~  “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.  For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?  And what communion has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). 

Light Is An Emblem Of Holiness  ~  “And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you.  I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me’” (Acts 26:15-18).  “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” (1 John 1:7). 

Light Comes To Us From The Son Of God  ~  “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.  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” (2 Corinthians 4:5-6).  “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’” (John 8:12).   

Light Is Cheerful  ~  “Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.  Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name” (Psalm 97:11-12).  “Truly the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun” (Ecclesiastes 11:7). 

Light Is Healthful  ~  “But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves” (Malachi 4:2).  

Light Is Desirable  ~  “When it was day, they did not recognize the land; but they observed a bay with a beach, onto which they planned to run the ship if possible” (Acts 27:39).  “My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning—yes, more than those who watch for the morning” (Psalm 130:6).   

Light May Be Shut Out  ~  Jesus said, “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God” (John 3:19-21). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Identity in Christ, 117

~ I Am One Who Has Been Redeemed ~

Introduction  ~  When Christians understand the various characteristics and aspects of the birthright which came with their second birth, they comprehend their identity in Christ.  Once Christians understand their identity, their destiny is also clear!  This series of “Abundant Life Now” posts will look at one of those facets each week. 

This Week’s Verse  ~  “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:11-14).

~~~ EXPLANATORY “IDENTITY IN CHRIST” NOTES ~~~  

(1)  Each Monday ALN posts an example of Scripture’s description of aspects/characteristics of Christians—those who have personally trusted in Jesus Christ, The Messiah, as their personal Savior.

(2)  This series is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

(3)  God the Father described Himself to Moses as the great “I AM” (Exodus 3:14).  God the Son also said “I AM” (John 8:58). 

(4)  Jesus Christ is the Son of God and several times in the Gospel of John He refers to Himself as “I am.”  “I am the Bread of Life” (6:35-51), “I am the Light of the World” (8:12, 9:5), “I am the Door” (10:7-9), “I am the Good Shepherd” (10:11-14), “I am the Son of God” (10:36), “I am the Resurrection and the Life” (11:25), “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (14:6), “I am in the Father, and the Father in Me … Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me” (John 14:10-11), and “I am the True Vine” (15:1-5). 

(5)  Individual Christians are also sons and daughters of God.  This series will show some of the various “I am” aspects of a Christian. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Who Killed Jesus Christ?

~ Consider 7 Who Caused the Death of Jesus Christ ~

(1)  Judas Iscariot  ~  One of the inner circle, one of Jesus Christ’s twelve chosen disciples.  Judas held a special role as the treasurer of that seemingly close-knit group.  The 30 pieces of silver which he gained by his betrayal was the current price paid to purchase a slave.  Here is a man which went from being in the inner circle of intimates with Jesus Christ to being a betrayer—a traitor. 

(2)  Joseph Caiaphas  ~   This Joseph was the High Priest of the Jerusalem temple.  As such he was one of the most powerful men in Israel.  Did he feel threatened by the Prince of Peace?  Was Joseph Caiaphas concerned that Jesus would start a rebellion?  In the end he decided Jesus had to die which was contrary to all the laws of the day. 

(3)  The Sanhedrin  ~  Israel’s highest court was charged with enforcing the Mosaic Law.  Joseph Caiaphas, as High Priest was the court’s President.  With the exception of two (Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea) the court decided to convict this innocent man—the very Son of  God.  However, they lacked authority to order His execution.  They needed the assistance of Pontius Pilate the Roman Governor of Judea. 

(4)  Pontius Pilate  ~  The Roman Governor over Judea possessed the power of life and death of the citizens.  Looking at the presented arguments Pilate found no reason to justify execution.  He did order Jesus to be beaten by flogging and sent to Herod Antipas.  The religious leaders of the day (notably the Sanhedrin and Pharisees) were unhappy with this decision demanded that Jesus be put to death on a cross—a punishment which was only used for the worst of criminals.  As an astute politician not wanting to upset the people Pilate “washed his hands” of the situation and then turned Jesus over to his centurions.

 (5)  Herod Antipas  ~  Herod was the Tetrarch, or Ruler of Galilee by appointment by the Romans.  Because Jesus was a Galilean Pilate sent Him to Herod.  Herod had previously executed John, the Baptist.  Herod tried to coerce Jesus into performing a miracle.  When He remained quiet Herod sent Him back to Pilate for capital punishment.   

(6)  A Roman Centurion  ~  Centurions were hardened army officers, trained to kill.  One unnamed centurion received the order to execute Jesus of Nazareth by crucifixion.  That Centurion, with his men, following good military protocol carried out that order.  

the bottom-line:  (7) You  ~  Your sin and my sin sent Jesus Christ to the Cross to die in your place!  “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

“Surely He [Jesus Christ] has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth;  He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth” (Isaiah 53:4-7).

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

a great truth:  “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28a).  Jesus Christ loved His Father—and even the cruel Cross worked out for eternal good for those who believe.  Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior also find that even the worst of circumstances work out for good in the big scheme of things!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .