Luke 12:25, "And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?"

This morning, man continually likes to ignore limitations and restrictions. Today's world could aptly be described as "unrestricted pleasure seeking." Today's motto seems to be, "If you want it, get it. If it feels good, do it." Some today even cry out about their "rights." Society cannot function for long with unrestricted bounds, but whether man likes to admit it or not, we have them even if we do not admit them. Restrictions come in different forms: mandated or automatic. Whenever we drive a car, there are automatic restrictions that we cannot control. For example, there is a top speed that the vehicle cannot exceed, but there are speed limits that we can choose to ignore. One restriction is automatic (cannot be changed), while the other is mandated by enforcers of the law. While man today ignores the mandated restrictions more than he ever has (due to lax or non-existent consequences), man cannot circumvent automatic restrictions, even though he may claim to.

Christ speaks in our study verse about man's automatic limitations. Whether man admits it or not or likes it or not, there are certain bounds we cannot cross. For example, man cannot live underwater without an air supply for him to breathe. Ignoring that principle will not bring about anything short of a swift death. Yet, Christ shows something that is rather small in His own eyes that we are limited in. The next verse after ours (Verse 26) shows that the limitation upon us in verse 25 is something that Christ terms "least." In other words, adding one cubit of stature is power that is "least" in the eyes of an Omnipotent God.

So, Christ attributes man's automatic limitations in things that are least. Therefore, if man has limitations that cannot be undone in small things, what conceivable authority would man have in things that are great? Have you ever seen someone that proudly described their "right decision for Christ" to secure their eternal destiny? Some of these same people have shambles for personal lives. If it really was conceivable that man had authority to dictate his own eternal home in heaven with God, should not we expect the lesser (least) thing of his personal life to follow suit?

Paul makes a simple yet powerful point about the qualifications of a bishop in I Timothy 3:4-5. If a man cannot rule his own house well, how can he be expected to handle the care of the church in a decent and orderly manner. Being unable to ably control his house in a Godly manner (fewer people), why should one expect that adequately control matters in the house of God (more people)? The same problem emerges in natural life compared to spiritual life. If one cannot adequately keep his natural affairs in order, what conceivable reason does he have to think he can keep his spiritual affairs in order?

Not having enough natural might and ability to add height to our stature shows the automatic limitations that we mortals are bound to. Moving from the thought of being automatically ill-suited to make our eternal home in heaven, consider what other limitations we should see from our verse. If I cannot make myself taller naturally, then how would I expect to be able to increase my spiritual stature just by taking thought? The old adage, "Where there's a will, there's a way" is annihilated by Christ's thought. As a young boy, my dream was to play professional basketball with Larry Bird for the Boston Celtics. No matter how much I wanted it (willed it), I just was not able to get tall enough or agile enough to go far in basketball.

Just simply taking thought would never make me any taller. Just simply taking thought will not make us spiritually any taller. For us to grow and have increase in a spiritual way, God must be the giver of it. (I Corinthians 3:6) So, instead of taking thought to increase spiritual might, we must beseech God to give us increase as faithful soldiers of the cross. Just by examining natural limitations, we see that we are severely hampered to do what many today claim to be doing.

However, consider the glory of the thought as it fits within the context. The previous verse says that God cares for simple animals (ravens). Even though they roam the range and sky, God cares for them, and how much more precious are we than birds? Are the birds just as limited as man? Perhaps moreso since man can think in ways that fowls cannot. Yet, if God is able to provide those least things for birds, so can He also provide the least and our all needed things to us. Verse 27 then describes simple plants (lilies) that are similarly cared for by God.

The point of seeing and admitting our own limitations with open honesty is not to have some kind of pity-party about them. We should not wallow in them any more than some proudly choose to ignore them and try to do what they could never do. Rather, we should point our faith upwards to the One that adds those necessary things to us. Have you ever seen lilies during a rainstorm? Those beautiful buds are pointed upward to drink that sweet dew from heaven. So should our hearts and minds be turned upward to receive the wonderful dewdrops of heaven when the Lord graciously showers down those things that we need. Can we just take thought and get these things? No, we are limited, but our thoughts and prayers should continually ascend for those things that we need and thanksgiving for those things that we could never do. I could not pull myself up to heaven by taking thought, nor can I get those things that I need just by taking thought. Yet, my thoughts can thank Him for the former and beseech and thank Him for the latter.

In Hope,

Bro Philip

Luke 11:34-35, “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. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.”

This morning, our society drives completely by “feel.” To modern day man’s way of thinking, “If it feels good, do it. If it feels bad, don’t.” Now, feelings do matter in this world – they are for our benefit – but they are not the overriding and overarching precepts by which we conduct our lifestyle. Rather, Godly feelings corroborate what we know to be right and proper from the standard: Bible. The reasons that feelings themselves cannot be the governing standard by which our lives are led are numerous, but one of the reasons (which we hope to examine in more detail) is the fact that children of God have polarized sets of feelings. Since the flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh (Galatians 5:17), children of God’s actions feel differently between the old and new nature. When righteousness is exalted, the flesh abhors it, while the spirit delights in it. Likewise, the flesh delights in unrighteousness, while the spirit abhors it. This complexity of feeling makes it impossible for the feelings themselves to be the standard by which something is judged.

Jesus, in our verses, compares light with its manifestations to actions in the lives of people. The verse previous to ours depicts our lives as those that should be set on a candlestick rather than hidden under a bushel. Our lives are meant to be lived in such a fashion that they redound to the glory of God. (Matthew 5:17) So, Christ uses the example of light to show forth this principle. Yet, the manifestation of that light depicts the corroborated feelings that an individual experiences as a result of that lifestyle. Let us dig into these words just a little to pull back the fabric of these verses and see the plainness of the teaching, even amidst the complexities of the individuals being discussed.

The first point that Christ introduces in these verses is the importance of the eyes. They are the light of the body. In other words, things begin with the eye that will emanate to the rest of the person. If we study the word employed for “light” in verse 34, we notice that its primary root stems from a thought of brilliancy and white purity. Studying the definitions of this word (Greek word: lychnos, root: leukos – taken from www.blueletterbible.com), the foremost application is the light of brilliancy and glistering whiteness that applies to the garments worn by angels and the glory of God Himself. What our eyes should take in should be of the purest form of Godliness that emulates the refulgent glory of God and clothes His celestial servants while they do His bidding.

Christ further strengthens this point by saying that should this type of light be taken in, there will be a “single” aspect to it. This word “single” quite often is used in our modern day vernacular is “singular.” Whenever someone is said to be singular minded, have a singular thought, etc., two things are generally meant by such statements. The first thing that is meant is that they are driven primarily and completely by one thing and one thing only. In a negative sense, someone might say that an alcoholic is singularly driven by alcohol – to the expense of anything else. The other thought that generally emanates from those statements is that the particular thing that drives these people (whether work, hobbies, or otherwise) “completes” them in some way. By engaging in the particular singular thrust, they feel liberated and complete while pursuing after that particular thing.

Christ displays that having light of a refulgent fashion enter the body, we should feel not only singularly driven but also complete by the glory of God. When we feel the light of His goodness, the completeness that we have in His Son (Colossians 2:10) should swell within our soul. By feeling complete with that singular affection interwoven throughout our person, what is the logical result? The logical result is Christ’s next statement.

When singular affection stemming from light of a Godly sort hits us, the whole body is full of light. Now, as we have already mentioned above, the flesh abhors the things of God, for the body is still a body of death even after regeneration until the resurrection. (Romans 7:25-27) So, how would light fill the entire body if the body detests it? The second appearance of the word “light” in this verse comes from a different word than the other. This word “light” (Greek word: photeinos, root: phos – taken from www.blueletterbible.com) has reference to natural manifestations of light. Materials like phosphorous – used to make light – are so named from these Greek words. Rather, than saying that Godly light radiates through a sinful body that changes it to be Godly itself, Christ shows forth the glorious aspect of sinful flesh being veiled by the Godly conduct of His people.

Have you ever known someone whose actions radiated above and beyond their physical appearance? When I was a young boy growing up in the church, my longest-lasting thoughts and impressions about the dear saints in the church was not what they looked like physically. Rather, it was their demeanor that most stuck with me. In fact, should I have been given a test on physical qualities on those in the church, I would probably have failed the examination. Christ here declares that light can manifestly be filled within the person to such a degree that others “stand up and notice.” As the joy of Godliness swells the soul, it cannot make the flesh desire the righteousness any more than the flesh can cause the spirit to enjoy sin, but the swelling of the soul can push down and mortify the deeds of the flesh (Colossians 3:5) to the point where people see the light filling the body rather than the darkness of the old flesh.

When people live by faith, take in the Godly refulgence found in His word, prayer, study, meditation, worship in His house, fellowship with His saints, etc, those things should radiate and fill the body. In so doing, a distinct impression will be stamped on the individuals that even natural men can see. A natural man (void of the spirit of God) does notice when someone does not curse, exalts joy in the midst of trials, and seems up while everyone else is down. While he will never understand the “point” of those things, he will notice. However, more important than that, other sin-sick souls burdened by their faults (i.e. ignorant but regenerated children of God) will also notice the emanation of light surrounding people living by faith. Who knows whether our actions will impress them to “Come and see” where it is and what it is that we delight in to such a degree?

Logically, Christ also gives us the opposite to this scenario. When our eye takes in the things it should not, the body is emanated (filled) with darkness, and verse 35 “seems” to show a contradiction. In verse 35, light is equated with darkness. Christ’s very own words display that light can be darkness. The word “light” in verse 35 again comes from the Greek word “phos” having reference to perception and manifestation. In other words, this light simply manifests the dark things that our eyes are indulging into.

Just as the child of God is capable to take in the good things that emanate into manifestations of joy and peace, so the child of God may also take in the evil things of the world that emanate into the manifestations of misery and destruction. (Proverbs 14:12) This complexity (capability to do either one) is one of the reasons that “feelings” are impossible for a standard. Which feeling is it? The emanation of light that comes from singularity of Godliness or the emanation of darkness from the light of ungodliness?

Some part of us desires what we do, while another part desires what we do not. These are contrary; the natures are opposite. Yet, their manifestation is guaranteed. Things our eyes see will affect our lifestyles. Be they things good or bad, they will most certainly affect our actions that men see and perceive in us to be. May our eyes take in the light that promotes the light filling the body rather than the light that opens the door to the invasion of darkness. By so doing, people will see the light (God’s work shining forth) rather that the old clod surrounding it. By focusing on the light and missing the clod, they will glorify our Father rather than we ourselves.

In Hope,

Bro Philip