CRYSTAL HEAVEN - PART 5

SATURDAY 23 SEPTEMBER 2023

From a regard to the instruction in our referenced Scripture, and a reverence for His name and glory, let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. The idea doesn't mean that we seem to be functioning outside of His presence, and so, we should visit the throne of grace oftentimes. No! We've been born into His presence and we are always in the presence of God, but the author of Hebrews is simply reminding us of our rightful and unlimited access to grace and mercy at the throne room, so that we should never be restrained by any sense of unworthiness.

Reference: Hebrews 4:16 New King James Version (NKJV) "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

The great truth is that Christ in a man is the fontal source of all grace and mercy. He is the righteousness given to us to position us to have access to the glory of God's presence. Therefore, let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace. Significantly, Ezekiel stated in Ezekiel 1:22 (ESV) that: "Over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of an expanse, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, spread out above their heads."

According to Ezekiel, the position of the expanse or firmament is - above the heads of the living creatures. Spread out over their heads, it shines brightly.

In the same manner, Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven" ( Matthew 5:14-16 NKJV). Got it? Just as the firmament shining like awe-inspiring crystal, is positioned above the heads of the living creature, so has Jesus described our position as the light of the world. We are a city that is set on a hill, which cannot be hidden. We are not a light in a lamp that is put it under a basket, but a light on a lampstand. We are above, and not beneath. Praise God!

Therefore, having understood the state of your spiritual exaltation, let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Now watch this: Unfortunately, some people don't believe in things that they cannot see. This also happens to some Christians. They don't truly believe that they are the light of the world, probably because they don't see any light exuding from their body. But this "light of the world" we have become, can't really be explained by way of reason or logic, or be defined from the worldly or carnal standpoint. On the contrary, we are spiritual beings who have been born into the Kingdom of light, and it's not a physical kingdom on earth. To that effect, Pauline epistle states, "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6 BSB).

Like the likeness of an expanse in the throne room, shining like awe-inspiring crystal, let the fullness of the light of God's glory that shines in the face of Christ in you find expression through your life. How? By demonstrating your faith in Christ Jesus, and living by the Word. Your faith, at its core, must be deep-rooted in accomplishing the good works, which God prepared beforehand, that you should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10 ESV). So you can see that your light goes far beyond reflecting a physical light. It's all about your Christian lifestyle and the way you live it to reflect the life and mind of Christ by experience. That way, your light stems from your heart and spirit, by the expressive power of the Spirit. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Psalm 119:105; Isaiah 60:1; John 9:5; Acts 13:47; Ephesians 5:8-9; 2 Corinthians 4:3-6.

Guided Prayer: Thanks be unto God, who has saved me by His grace and mercy, and has been using me as an instrument for the salvation of lost souls by positioning me in Christ to shine brightly and express good works, in Jesus' Name, Amen!