The Bible really is a living (by living I don't mean changing), multi-dimensional, magical book. It's writer is clever, fierce, loving and awesome. This book was written to conceal and to reveal at the same time.
Take this passage:
Luke 8:16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 Fo...r nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. 18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”
I didn't pay attention much while growing up in church, but I remember the verse about hiding a light being used to encourage kids to wear their faith on their sleeves and go door to door sharing the "light" within us. That's not what this means, though. This is a warning for those people who seek to sin and keep it a secret. In this case the light is the truth, which Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the light, has, is, and will set the truth on a lamp stand for all to see and know. There are many people in the world who want to keep their sins secret, but they cannot. Seems like every day now people's dark secrets are being revealed in the news.
This verse is also encouragement to those who would be saved out of sin. Adam and Eve did not want their sins revealed to God, so they hid themselves. First they hid behind fig leaves, then they hid in the garden when God came looking for them. Every single one of us has multiple choices every day to sin or not (the choice to be loving or hateful, patient or impatient, kind or unkind, honest or dishonest, forgiving or hold grudges, etc.). We can't help it, being layered individuals, but hide some of these sins behind fig leaves, and even to (try to) hide altogether when God comes looking for us. The bravest thing we can do is to come out when He calls and stand naked before the Lord, covered in the filth of our sins, trusting that the blood sacrifice cleanses us completely.
So this passage is both a warning and an encouragement. People who aren't saved do not want their wickedness revealed and would seek to change the meaning, or hide from it, or keep others from knowing the truth of it. They will fail. People who are saved want the truth to be revealed; are weary of the secrets that keep them in bondage to sin and want the truth to come out so they can be freed. They will succeed.
This is just what the Spirit showed me about this passage. I am certain there is even more to unpack from it. More and more. And individual gifts for each who pursues it. All of the meanings will not be identical, but they will all be in agreement. That's how this awesome book works.
Take this passage:
Luke 8:16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. 17 Fo...r nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. 18 Therefore take heed how you hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and whoever does not have, even what he seems to have will be taken from him.”
I didn't pay attention much while growing up in church, but I remember the verse about hiding a light being used to encourage kids to wear their faith on their sleeves and go door to door sharing the "light" within us. That's not what this means, though. This is a warning for those people who seek to sin and keep it a secret. In this case the light is the truth, which Jesus, who is the way, the truth and the light, has, is, and will set the truth on a lamp stand for all to see and know. There are many people in the world who want to keep their sins secret, but they cannot. Seems like every day now people's dark secrets are being revealed in the news.
This verse is also encouragement to those who would be saved out of sin. Adam and Eve did not want their sins revealed to God, so they hid themselves. First they hid behind fig leaves, then they hid in the garden when God came looking for them. Every single one of us has multiple choices every day to sin or not (the choice to be loving or hateful, patient or impatient, kind or unkind, honest or dishonest, forgiving or hold grudges, etc.). We can't help it, being layered individuals, but hide some of these sins behind fig leaves, and even to (try to) hide altogether when God comes looking for us. The bravest thing we can do is to come out when He calls and stand naked before the Lord, covered in the filth of our sins, trusting that the blood sacrifice cleanses us completely.
So this passage is both a warning and an encouragement. People who aren't saved do not want their wickedness revealed and would seek to change the meaning, or hide from it, or keep others from knowing the truth of it. They will fail. People who are saved want the truth to be revealed; are weary of the secrets that keep them in bondage to sin and want the truth to come out so they can be freed. They will succeed.
This is just what the Spirit showed me about this passage. I am certain there is even more to unpack from it. More and more. And individual gifts for each who pursues it. All of the meanings will not be identical, but they will all be in agreement. That's how this awesome book works.
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