Scripture: Mark 4: 21-25
He said to them, “A lamp is not brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed, is it? Is it not [brought in] to be put on the lampstand? For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been kept secret, but that it would come to light [that is, things are hidden only temporarily, until the appropriate time comes for them to be known]. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.” Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides. For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him.”
Scripture Commentary: Pay attention to how your light shines.
Pay attention to how easy it is for our daily routines to become overcrowded. Worldly worries, the false sense of security brought on by prosperity, and the desire for things plagued first century disciples as they do us today.
A life packed with materialistic pursuits deafens us to God’s Word.
If the lamp doesn’t help us to see, it is useless.
Make sure your life shows others how to find God and how to live for Him. If it does not, ask what “bowls” have extinguished your light.
What could extinguish your light?
Complacency, resentment, stubbornness of heart, or disobedience could keep God’s light from shining through you to others. The light of Jesus’s truth is revealed to us, not hidden. But we may not be able to see or use all of that truth right now.
Only as we put God’s teachings into practice will we understand and see more of the truth. How much we have is not nearly as important as what we do with it.
Be like the seed that was planted in the fertile soil.
Strive to live a Christian life with Jesus. By following Jesus, we will understand that spiritual growth is a continual, gradual process finally consummated in a harvest of spiritual maturity.
Read the Entire Chapter: