Monday, September 10, 2007

Luke 11:34-36 - Fixing our eyes

Scripture:
 
Jesus speaking...
 
Luke 11:34-36
34 "The eye is the lamp of your body; when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light; but when it is bad, your body also is full of darkness.
35 "Then watch out that the light in you is not darkness.
36 "If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays."
NASU
 
 
Thoughts:
 
What we set our eyes on physically and metaphorically, is of vital importance.  As we begin to let darkness (sin) gain our focus and thereby come into us, it can then overtake us.  Though at one time we may have been walking in the freedom that Christ gives us from the bondage of sin, now we can find ourselves enslaved again to our own selfish desires.
 
Instead, we need to set our gaze in the place of holiness.  Focusing on Christ and the things that are in alignment with His word -- the Bible -- and ways.  As we choose to set our eyes on these things, we find ourselves full of His light, experiencing the freedom and joy that He intends. 
 
 
Prayer:
 
Chapter 11 of Hebrews has been labeled "the hall of faith" as it recounts the faithfulness of many Old Testament men and women.  The application of that chapter then comes in chapter 12, and seems an apt prayer.
 
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
NASU

 
Yes, Lord.  Let this be, in my life. 
 
Amen

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.