In The Light Of The Spirit

Issues – March 2025 – Grace & Truth Magazine

In The Light Of The Spirit

Things which eye has not seen, and ear not heard, and which have not come into man’s heart, which God has prepared for them that love him, but God has revealed to us by His Spirit.” —1 Corinthians 2:9-10 JND

I’ll never forget a demonstration of black light, also known as ultraviolet light. The stones used in the presentation looked very common and worthless under ordinary light, just like the kind kids kick along a walk. But a dramatic change took place an soon as the ordinary light was extinguished and the black light turned on. Suddenly those worthless stones glowed brilliantly, displaying a flash of colors which invited closer examination. Actually the stones were of a fluorescent material whose display of beauty required special lighting.

How like the Word of God. To the natural man viewing it in the light of ordinary reasoning and understanding, it appears like a dull stone, unworthy of careful study. This person may consider the Bible to be useful for quoting in the midst of an argument to prove a point, or reading for comfort but little more. This is unless a new light shines! Then the Holy Spirit begins to shine into our hearts with the light “of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6); the Scriptures come alive.

Through repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the natural man becomes a spiritual man. Now he begins to view the Word of God in a different light. He adopts the attitude of the prophet Jeremiah when he wrote: “Thy words were unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Thy name, O Jehovah, God of hosts” (Jer. 15:16).

A combination of ordinary light and black light will not do. It dulls the beauty of the stones. We must read the Word of God only in the light of the Spirit of God if we would know its beauty and radiance.

By Grant Steidl