Thoughts for Life: Letting in the Light: Prayer Note #70

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Letting in the Light: Prayer Note #70

Dutch Sheets tells us the shutter on a camer lets in light, much like repentance causes God's new understanding to come into the unbeliever.

   “The word ‘light’ in 2 Cor. 4:4 is Photismos, which means ‘illumination.’ It is similar to another word in Ephesians 1:18 ‘enlightened’ which is the word photizo—‘to let in light.’ We can almost see the English words ‘photo’ or ‘photograph’ in these Greek words; they are, indeed, derived from them.

What happens when one takes a photo? The shutter on the camera opens, letting in light, which brings an image. If the shutter on the camera does not open, there will be no image or picture, regardless of how beautiful the scenery or elaborate the setting.

   The same is true in the souls of human beings. And this is exactly what is being said in these two verses in 2 Cor. 4. It sounds like photography language. It makes no difference how glorious our Jesus or wonderful our message, if the veil (shutter) is not removed, there will be no true image (picture) of Christ.

   In biblical contexts repentance is a new understanding that comes from God through an unveiling (revelation). It is the reversing of the effects of the Fall through Adam. Humanity chose their own wisdom, their own knowledge of good and evil, right and wrong. Humanity now needs a new knowledge—from God. Paul said in Acts 26:18 he was called “to open their eyes”—enlightenment, unveiling, revelation, repentance—“so that they may turn (epistrepho) from darkness to light.”

Prayer Note #70 - Letting in the Light: taken from Dutch Sheets’ book, Intercessory Prayer (162, 163)

The next Prayer Note on Sept. 9^th, Information Versus Revelation: Prayer Note #71

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Cor. 15:58

Tomorrow’s post: Oh No, She's Awake! Mary Southerland

Today’s treasure truth #7: If you are “born again”, you are a new creature. (2 Cor. 5:17)

Our thought for today: As a new creature in Christ, the spiritual part of you no longer wants to sin. Your sin was taken care of!