True Enlightenment

Friday, August 26th, 2011

Today's Passage: Ephesians 5: 6-21
Memory Verse: Eph. 4:32

In an age such as ours with all the technology and advancement in science that we've experienced, the word "enlightenment" is thrown around quite often. Many people think that just because they've been given the intellect to search out new ideas and think outside the box, not being content to accept the status quo when it comes to the human standard of living, this qualifies them as searchers of the "truth". The real truth is that truth and enlightenment come only when we are willing to accept our sinful nature and inability to pursue truth outside of the person of the Holy Spirit.

Let's look at this in a practical way by examining two relatively simple concepts which everyone, saved and unsaved alike, claims to possess: kindness and goodness. On the surface, it doesn't seem to take much to be kind or good to someone. A simple smile or wave in the direction of a complete stranger who may be having a bad day could go a long way, and it often does. It's even become more and more common in our society to make charitable donations in the form of money or possessions for the purpose of trying to make life easier for those who are incapable of accomplishing this for themselves. And so, many individuals as well as corporations who don't even claim to live for Christ are to be commended for making a huge impact on our world.

But what happens when the "touchy-feely" element is taken away, and a person is faced with having to choose between sacrificing for others and self-preservation? Where do those sappy thoughts and emotions go when one is threatened with death, or at the very least, starvation? What happens when someone's loved one is brutally beaten, raped, or murdered, sometimes by someone else who knew that person on an intimate level? Where does the general idea of "goodwill to all men" go? Straight out the door -- if Christ is not the center of a person's life, and even then, it depends on how much of that person's will is surrendered to Him. This is where the whole concept of being enlightened really makes a difference in the inner parts of a human being. When darkness threatens to take over as a result of tragic events (which is the enemy's plan, by the way), the light of Christ chases it away, reminding the believer of God's promises to those who don't give in to those feelings of hate and retaliation. Without the voice of God, renewing our minds daily, there is no resistance to evil, and it simply takes over.

That's how come a perfectly sound person, who was always "kind" and "good" at one time, becomes capable of shooting his or her own children, or drowning them in a river. Let's bring it home to where you and I live. As soon as our comfort zone is threatened, or we feel the least bit of discomfort, treating others with kindness and goodness is the first thing to go. There is absolutely no way fallen man can walk in kindness and goodness outside of asking God to live in us DAILY, being open to rethinking what we THOUGHT we knew about how to treat others. When we walk in that light, Jesus can be the model we live by, because He Who knew no sin allowed all manner of cruel things to be done to Him so that we could do the same. With this in mind, we can reach out to help others, and treat them better than we even treat ourselves although it makes us uncomfortable. We can give up our rights to want service, and serve others instead. And that, my friends, is true enlightenment.

Prayer: Father, I've learned over the years of my life that I cannot walk in kindness and goodness outside of You and what Your Son Jesus did. Even on my best days, every attempt I make to be kind and good to others comes from You. So I give You the glory now for it all, and ask You to change the parts of me that I have not allowed You to change in the past so that it is YOU alone people see every minute of my time on this earth. I love and adore You, and will always live totally devoted to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.