The Wisdom of Paul.

Over the summer, Romans was clearly my most frequented book...because it's Romans! But another passage that really resonated with me was 2 Corinthians chapters 4-6.

"Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God." --4:4.

Mmm...how very true! Once they have been blind for so long, they can't even recognize when the lights are on! They begin to love the darkness and think that that is the way it is meant to be. That makes me think of "Inception." That should scare everyone to no end...that is true fear of the Lord.

"You see, we don't go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said 'Let there be light in the darkness,' has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ." --4:5-6.

I've not yet decided if it is possible to talk about the contrast between light and darkness too much, but if it is, then I plan to abolish any such rule. There is nothing more apparent to me right now than the distinct difference between those who are walking in and shining the Light and those who are living blind in this dark world. I love in these verses how Paul equates the light created in Genesis 1 with the light created in us when we are saved. Both accomplish the same purpose: to demonstrate to the fallen world who the Creator and Only Hope is. Jesus Christ...our Father...our King...our Lord...the Spirit...our Hero.

"That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don't look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever." --4:16-18.

Living as a light in this dark world is not easy. If it were, everyone would want to do it. In fact, we can only be successful (in the truest sense of the word) if we rely entirely on our Lord. So, we must be of good faith and courage...confident that He will provide for us everything we need to serve Him effectively. We cannot give up or surrender. We have Christ in us, the hope of glory. We have hope...which means "help is on the way."

Ok, well that was only chapter 4...but I think I'll save 5 and 6 for a little later. Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power!