“In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4

“Whatever rational knowledge men may have of divine truths as they are doctrinally proposed in the Scripture, yet if they know them not in their respect unto the person of Christ as the foundation of the counsels of God, if they discern not how they proceed from him and center in him, they will bring no saving spiritual light unto their understandings; for all spiritual life and light is in him, and from him alone.  The  difference between believers and unbelievers, as to knowledge, is not so much in the matter of their knowledge as in the manner of knowing.  Unbelievers, some of them, may know more, and be able to say more of God, his perfections and will, than many believers; but they know nothing as they ought, nothing in a right manner, nothing spiritually and savingly, nothing with a holy, heavenly light.  The excellency of a believer is not that he hath large apprehensions of things, but that what he doth apprehend, be it much or little, he sees in the light of the Spirit of God, in a saving, soul transforming light.  And this gives us communion with God, and not prying thoughts, or curious-raised notions.”  (John Owen)  In this knowledge, Lord, give me to increase every day.

Dear Lord, anoint my head and heart,
And light and life bestow on me:
Light that will gospel truth impart;
And life to make me live to thee.
___________
(A Golden Treasury  ~ March 15)

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