The GREAT "TRANS-PARENT"

January 9, 2009

As I was reading yesterday morning, I came to 1st Tim.5:24 , "Some men's sins are open beforehand going before to judgement ...." With the understanding that all our sin, and all our sins, have been and are open before God having been judged before in Christ, we are now made free to be who He has made us to be in Him!

So then the idea of becoming (as we already are) "transparent" came to mind: Transparent before God and man. As we are enabled to draw nigh to God by faith in His Word (1JN.5:8 .. "there are three that bear witness in earth , the Spirit , and the water , and the blood : and these three agree in one"), He graciously and mercifully exposes to us our sins , for the purpose that we might see Christ more precious than ever before. For where sin abounds, grace does much more abound.

This brings us back to the word TRANSPARENT - When we think of the word transparent, we think of something you can see through (Rev.21:21 " ... AND THE STREET OF THE CITY was PURE GOLD, AS IT WERE TRANSPARENT(clear)GLASS").Oh , that our faith would be of such a quality that Christ would be seen more clearly through us every single day of our earthly pilgrimage.

That His beauty would be so vivid, that all we come in contact with would be so absolutely overwhelmed; that their focus would no longer be on the window (being us) but on Him who reveals Himself through us. He reveals Himself first to us and then through us. (1st Tim. 1:12-16 "As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, He sends us forth") The brighter the Light, the more evident become the spots of that which remains of indwelling sin

Father, we come before You In confidence, that confidence that has come as a gift from You and is returned to You by way of confession, as You have given us Your Word that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. .

Oh , help us that we might approach You, as You have commanded, and have therefore declared unto us in such a personal way , that we may obtain mercy , and find grace to help in time of need. Oh, that You would continue to transform us by the renewing of our minds with Your Word, that we would become more transparent, that You would use us as vessels of Your mercy, whereby You would translate Your children out of the kingdom of darkness and into the Kingdom of Light for Your glory, in Jesus Name. AMEN

Christ Jesus is THE GREAT "TRANS-PARENT"; who takes us unto Himself and nourishes us and washes us with the washing of the Water of His Word. Through His mercy He gives to us life , as we are birthed into His Kingdom. He clothes us with His Righteousness; He arms us with faith, and He grows us into responsible adults, and uses us to become little trans- parents ourselves, to bring to birth and to care for His children.

Father, we ask that You would deliver us from every element and sub-particle of pride that remains in us as we lay this and our very being before you today; that Christ would be magnified in our bodies as You Give us the strength to be yielded to all You have for us and freely give to us for Your glory in Jesus name. Amen!

The words to this song by Chris Tomlin come to mind:

He became sin Who knew no sin
That we might become His Righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross

Love so amazing
Love so amazing
Jesus Messiah

Name above all names
Blessed Redeemer
Emmanuel

The rescue for sinners
The ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah
Lord of all

His body the bread
His blood the wine
Broken and poured out
all for love

The whole earth trembled
And the veil was torn
Love so amazing
Love so amazing, yeah

Lord of all
All our hope is in You
All our hope is in You
All the glory to You

God The light of the world.... and HIS SONG continues to go forth in us and through us as we live and breathe and have our being in Him.

Michael E. Wood