May 30, 2025 -- Daniel 12:1b-3 -- The glorious, radiant light of Christ

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn away to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Daniel 12:1b-3 ESV
 
It is God the Father who breaks down the stubborn resistance of men’s hearts so that they yield to Jesus. Without the intervening mercy of God, we’d live on as children who will experience the out-poured wrath of God. The Puritan Thomas Boston wrote by nature people chose evil and death every time, as consistently as water flows down hill. What follows is his graphic observation of human indifference to their wickedness in the face of God’s holiness.
 
Consider the utter inconsistency of most men’s lives with the principles of religion
which they profess; you may as soon bring east and west together, as their
principles and practice. Men believe that fire will burn them, and therefore they
will not throw themselves into it, but the truth is, most men live as if they thought
the Gospel a mere fable, and the wrath of God, revealed in His Word against their unrighteousness and ungodliness, a mere scarecrow. If you believe the doctrines
of the Word, how is it that you are so unconcerned about the state of your souls
before the Lord? How is it that you are so little concerned about this weighty point,
whether you be born again or not?
Thomas Boston Human Nature in it fourfold state, page 93
 
Those who have been captivated by the beauty of Jesus will turn from the wickedness of their sin, as surely as they’d avoid standing in a campfire. It is the fact that the Spirit of God has captured their hearts and torn out its proclivity to sin which makes believers recognize the violence of evil and how hideous an offense it is against the Holy One. It is precisely because God has loved His people with an everlasting love, has provided the full and final sacrifice of Jesus, and guards His people in the Holy Spirit that His wrath is not a mere scarecrow to His people. The Awesome One’s wrath is real. It is terrible. It was poured out on Jesus and He Who stood in our place, taking the punishment of God has become to us altogether precious. Worthy of our life’s devotion.
 
As the author of Hebrews noted, it is easy to drift away. So, we turn to the Bible. We devour it, are fed by it, are warned by it, are inspired. All who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above. The joy-filled straight-living of the godly are a bright witness to those who are perishing and headed to everlasting contempt. Those who are shining with the radiance of Christ are either blinding light so they will have scorn heaped on them by those who are hell-bound, or the radiance of Christ is so pure, such warm and wonderful light that those appointed for life will be drawn closer into fellowship with Christians until they too captivated by Jesus reflect His splendor in their lives.
 
Father of all mercy and covenant love, great are You and worthy of praise. Thank You for the radiance of Christ and the light of life that emanates from Him. Thank You for the work of Your Spirit, who captures wayward ones and brings them to the glorious light of Christ. Triune God, polish our lives inside and out so that in every part we who trust in Jesus will reflect His glory. Through our words and actions which are infused with the radiance of Jesus, draw many to Yourself in love. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/fE51e2rKpUk?si=VGL1iASf2qk29wfR The Lord is my Light
 

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