Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. (NKJV)
Part of the Christian life is the illumination of God’s truth in our hearts. This is much more than just a head knowledge or intellectual understanding of the Bible. You may understand, and can articulate your salvation, but when the implications of it truly becomes illuminated in your heart, you will glory in it. It will consume your thoughts and transform your life.
We’ve all seen the excitement and reaction of someone who wins the lottery or inherits a surprise fortune. We’ve seen the ecstasy of newlyweds or the person who just got an autograph from their favorite celebrity. And while all of that isn’t worthy to be mentioned on the same page as salvation, when is the last time you saw someone “burst with excitement” about being saved? When is the last time you did? Ever?
1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (NKJV)
Imagine with me a man who has been blind from birth. Have you stopped to consider their world? They can’t conceive color, depth, shadow or light. Everything they experience is only “seen” in the “virtual” world of thought or the finger’s touch. Mental images are created by imagination alone possibly helped by a verbal description or attempted external explanation.
What would happen if this blind man received a surgery at 40 years old, and now could see clearly for the first time in his life? “Blue” suddenly has meaning. The zoo is a visual feast (and probably frightening!). The rush of traffic, airplanes flying and fireworks are amazing! The night sky is a wonder of wonders.
This is the essence of true illumination. We are like blind men, hearing the truth, having a knowledge of the truth and perhaps even having “felt” the truth. But when our eyes are truly opened to it, we stand awestruck at the “wondrous” things of God!
So why the title “Ho-hum, I’m a Christian”? Because boredom is a major indicator of a lack of illumination in the Christian heart.
The preacher is boring. Sunday school is boring.
Talking about God is boring. Reading the Bible is boring.
Praying is boring. Devotionals are boring.
Christian books are boring. Christian history is boring.
Christians are boring.
Hit home? How much of that is true for you? Are you a Christian who just canNOT understand those “excited” and over-zealous Jesus-fanatics? Or maybe you long to be thrilled about Christ like someone you know, but you just can’t imagine ever being that way. Do you think that being openly joyous about Jesus is just not your “personality”? Then my friend, you have not reached a point where God has ILLUMINED your heart about what Jesus has done for you.
If I walked up and handed you a check for a million dollars, would you be bored by it? Would you avoid being excited because that’s what the “fanatic” winners do? Would it embarrass you to be thrilled and joyful? Would you avoid being excited because someone might say something about you?
Jesus has purchased and secured eternal life in
unimaginable happiness and blessing for all
who accept it according to His terms.
How does that statement strike you? Just a pleasant Christian thought? A theological statement? A Bible truth? If it doesn’t affect your spirit and emotions more than the thought of being rich, becoming a famous star or having your “dreams” come true… then you need to pray as the Apostle Paul did for the Ephesian church:
Ephesians 1:18 …the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints… (NKJV, emphasis mine)
Pray that God will enlighten you and illumine (shine the light) the truth of Jesus Christ in your heart. It will change every moment of your life.
Father of Lights, we pray You will illumine our hearts with the truth of what our Savior has done for us. We pray that our salvation will be so much more than just an intellectual knowledge of facts. We pray that you will shine the light of the Spirit into our hearts and enlighten us that we may know the hope of our calling. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Contemplation: Is church boring? Prayer? The Bible? If yes, don’t feel alone, it is common for most. Why? Illumination… God shining the light of truth in your heart. Once the light goes on, you are like a blind man seeing blue sky and stars for the first time. Only God can give it and it must be sought in prayer with your whole heart.
Application: Do you ask God to illuminate your heart concerning His truth when you open your Bible or pray? You won’t get what you don’t diligently seek. You won’t get what you won’t diligently seek. You WILL get what is genuinely most important to you. We all do.
- What is the most obvious Bible truth you have learned today?
- What change in your life needs to be made concerning this truth?
- What specific thing will you do today to begin that change?