Living in light of eternity

The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. (Ro 13:12-14, NASB95) When we think of armor, what usually comes to mind is something thick, strong, and heavy- something that would be a good protector.   We would expect that it would be able to withstand a bullet, knife, or powerful impact.   So when we imagine an armor consisting of light, it makes no sense, unless we think a little deeper. In the warfare between darkness and light, light wins every time.   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In h...

There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, And there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered. (Prov 11:24-25) It is easy to think that we should hold tightly to what we have. We often think if we are generous, and give it away, we will be left wanting.   Nothing could be further from the truth. In God's economy it is the generous one who is himself enriched.   It may seem counterintuitive, but it is true, nonetheless. This is because everything ultimately comes from God…   What do you have that you did not receive? (1 Cor 4:7b)   And on the topic of generosity, we often consider only money.   But when Proverbs 11:24 speaks of "scattering", it addresses much more than money.   It speaks to all types of resources.   We have spiritual resources, personal experience, time, and energy to share- and much more.   We have love...