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Week:13, Season:1,
2014
Posted on Saturday by PCT
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Life with Good Visions
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Scripture：《
Ephesians 5:8-14
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5：8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
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Light and life
The Bible passage written in Ephesians 5:8-14 indicates that darkness is a negative world; light is a positive world. Darkness and light are opposite concepts and antonyms. We see the light in the daytime in our everyday lives, when we are able to walk and do things freely with less possibilities of accidents; in the night when there is no light at all, everything is dark, and we are not able to do things easily; the possibility of causing an accident thus increases. Paul used this illustration about darkness and light to remind us, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”
Darkness and light are closely related in human life. Many factors, natural or personal, decide whether one’s life is in darkness or in light. When we get older, our eyesight becomes dim or even worse, we lose our sight and our life is in danger. Most people put their focus on physical health and ignore the importance of physiological and spiritual health. An abundant life should include the wellbeing of body, mind and spirit. An unhealthy body brings trouble and worry to our family; an unhealthy mind influences our personal life, the peace of the whole family and even the safety of all of society.
The importance of a good vision
The blind expect light but there is no more light they can see; they live in darkness. There was some tragic news which happened in Shanxi China and it was reported that a six-year-old child was playing outside and was seized and drugged by some thugs who gouged out his eyes. The child woke up in hospital without knowing that he had lost his eyes and asked his mother, “Mummy, when will it be daytime?” What a sad tragedy.
Eyes are “the window of our souls.” A person with bright eyes looks bright. When you become middle aged, the eye sight of most people changes. I used to have very good sight but since getting older, my eyes are less good and I cannot see things clearly. I need to wear glasses to read the Bible and hymns. Without my glasses, I cannot even read one word; I am like an illiterate person needing others’ help to read words for me; such a pain. For this reason I feel deeply that a person should live in physical, psychological and spiritual wellbeing, so as to live a better life.
People reject the light
When someone has problems with his physical health, he seeks medical treatment; when someone has mental health problems he can seek help from a counsellor or psychiatrist. Mental health problems are more difficult to treat than physical health weaknesses. They need long-term care and medicine to control. if the person affected stops taking the medicines of his own accord or indulges in negative thoughts, soon or later it becomes an issue for his family and society.
Some people are obviously healthy, talented, and have good relationships and high socioeconomic status but they are selfish, arrogant, snobbish and prize their own ego; they care only for themselves. This type of person knows how to take advantages from others. They do not give practical help to the society. Another type of person is intelligent but relies on relationships to achieve a high social status; they have the power to control many things but love to play the game on the edge of the law. This type of person does whatever he likes but in fact damages society and the nation. We need to be careful because everyone, from the man in the street to the nation’s leader, has the ability and possibility to become these two type of persons. If we live in the darkness and do not bear the fruits of goodness, righteousness and truth, we will become useless in the dark places.
Bear abundant fruits with healthy body, mind and soul
A healthy soul can bear fruits of goodness, righteousness and truth. How should we give up negative thoughts and become a positive disciple of Christ? Jesus said, “I am the light.” We are the light when we live in Jesus. When the light shines in the darkness then the darkness will leave us. Every Christian faces the challenge of choosing the light or the darkness; the judgement of social values and spiritual values. We must take the principle of “glorify the Lord and serve others.”
Jesus’ teaching is the light shining in our dark hearts. The word of God is the lamp to guide us walking towards the road of righteousness. The teaching of Jesus is different from others’ teaching because it is not only good but also righteous. Righteousness is justice and the right and the truth. It is absolute right so it is called the truth.
The hymn “Amazing Grace” written by John Newton (1725-1807) has touched hundreds of thousands of people’s heart. John Newton’s mother was a Christian. She prayed for her son often. Sadly John’s mother passed away when he was six years old. After two years studying at school, John withdrew and started a life at sea at the age of eleven. Unfortunately, this life on board ship gave him many bad habits. He was involved in the slave trade and abused by his employer. He even was sold to be a slave on board ship and lived a tough life. John Newton’s old life before he repented before God was not known to people. His low level of education and lack of professional skills meant that he was rejected by the society. When his tragic life seemed to be coming to an end, God’s mercy came to him at this crucial point of life. He was facing death sea in a bad storm. At that point then he determined to change his life and dedicate himself to God.
It is written in John Newton’s lyrics of Amazing Grace, “I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see.” He compared his old drifting life to being blind; although his physical eyes could see, his spiritual eyes had lost their sight. He did not know how to live the rest of his life. After he received the love of Jesus and the grace of forgiveness, he turned from a lost one into a church leader who brought many people to God. His story is truly one of amazing grace.
Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) When a person is willing to give up his old life and accept Jesus as his saviour, he will be able to experience the amazing grace as John Newton did, “I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see.” May those who are Jesus’ followers work hard to make Jesus our light of life and keep the dark evil power away from us by being triumphant Christians!
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For discussion：
1.What is one’s vision? How to develop a new vision?
2.How would you treat a mentally ill person? How can a church care about this person?
3.How to experience a bright life?
Please pray for：
1.For church members who are ill.
2.For the health of your body, mind and soul. May the Lord’s light shine on us and give us a healthy life.
3.May the Lord use our Christian life to change society and make our society and nation a healthy one.
Prayer：
Dear Father, may your holy spirit come; may your light shine on us. Help each Christian have a healthy body, mind and soul. Help us to bear fruits of goodness, righteousness and truth, and live an abundant life. We want to follow you for our entire life and never leave your way. If we leave you, our life will lose the light. May you also shine on our homes so that all family members may follow Jesus. Let Christ be the Lord of our homes. Please guide our steps in proclaiming the gospel, shine on our families and society and give everyone an opportunity to receive your grace and blessings. In the name of Christ, Amen.
Something you can do：
1.Spend time in holding a family service every day; read the Bible and share the word of God with your family; receive the light of the word of God.
2.Receiving the word of God with brothers and sisters at birthday thanksgiving events, farewell services for brothers who are going to join the military service, babies’ full-month celebrations, funerals, etc. to let the light of God shine on every household.
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