Ever wondered about the word transparent? What does it mean, and is it something that is important in our walk with the Lord.

The word transparent is found here:

	Luk 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. Luk 11:34 The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. Luk 11:35 Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. Luk 11:36 If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light.

The word for full of light means transparent

G5460
φωτεινός
phōteinos
fo-ti-nos'
From G5457; lustrous, that is, transparent or well illuminated (figurative): - bright, full of light.

When the light of the word of God is shown on our own life, then what is there gets illuminated. We can choose not to look, or examine what is found. To sweep it under the carpet so to speak, but that is not allowing His word to illuminate what is not lining up with what His standards are. Being transparent means to allow the light of the word to shine into those places that are dark. Even places that we did not know were there before.

Now, all the flowery words of transparent, illumination, and such are fine, but there comes a point that the application has to be practical if it is going to make a difference in our own walk and life.

Religion is different than relationship with the Lord. Religion looks at everyone else, and sees their faults/sins without ever considering that they themselves could be guilty of the same. They desire to illuminate everyone else but their own self. Then there is the relationship with the Lord. The person who is on that road will make sure that their own eye is single. Which means they are not afraid to allow the precepts of God to shine on their own life. The grace and mercy that they receive will be manifested through their own life to others because they know full well that they are transparent and honest with their self and with the Lord in what they are capable of doing.

This does not mean that everyone is running around in gross sin, but there is something to think about.

What rubs you the wrong way in someone else, are you also guilty of behaving the same way?
The sin you see in someone else, are you guilty of the same?

That is not to say we should not speak out against wrongs, or evil, but it means while speaking out against it, we are examining our own self as well. Repenting when needed, and asking for the Lord's enabling to change from glory to glory. We can tell someone about all the things we see in others, and in our own self that does not live up to His standard, but knowing about something does no good if there is not a willingness to give those things to the Lord for His refinement. Acknowledging those things within our own self is probably the first step in obeying the command of not hiding the candle under a bushel. Not that we are illuminating all the good in us, but are allowing the Lord to illuminate any darkness found. Anything that does not line up with the fruit of the Spirit is darkness.

So easy to see those things in others while making excuses for our own behavior.

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Revival by Connie Campbell Bratcher


God gives revival every day
As we look to Him in Prayer,
Wherever we may be
His Holy Spirit's there -
The Great Almighty God,
Yet our dearest, closest Friend,
As He communes with us
Our hearts are stirred within.
No man can bring revival,
Nor can it be worked up;
Only God can touch a heart,
And fill an empty cup.
Whether in the deepest valley,
Or on the mountain high,
Revival comes from God alone
As souls to Him draw nigh.
It may be in the morning,
Or in the noonday bright;
It may be in a crowded place,
Or alone in the darkest night;
It may be in a warm, loving church
Where spiritual blessings flow,
Or behind cold prison walls
Where no spiritual life doth show.
God's hand is always extended,
No matter where we are,
To draw closely back to Himself
Souls who've wandered afar.
Revival's for those alive in Christ
Who've gone their selfish way...
Oh, how we all need Revival
Each and every day.

Father, give us contrite hearts,
May we humbly bow and pray.

"Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?"
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."
(Ps.85:6; 51:10)