Transparency

Daily Reading:  Acts 20

There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. (Acts 20.8)

Devotional Thought: “This is going to be the most transparent administration ever!” Right...  Claims like that are not taken seriously in today’s political climate are they? 

Transparency.  That is what I thought about when I read Luke’s side-note in verse 8: "There were many lamps in the upper room.”  Why would Luke include that?  Why was it important to note that there were many lights?  The reason was transparency. In that culture, when people gathered like that in the darkness of the night it was for no good purpose. Many times it was for a gathering where people would indulge in a wild party for unrestrained sexual activity.  The lights would go off and the inhibitions would be shed…  So, Luke felt it necessary to point out that the lights were on, and not just a few lights, but many lamps!  The early church was very careful in how they were perceived by their neighbors.

We today find it difficult to identify with that concern: “It’s none of their business!” we say.  But, I think that Luke and Paul and the church at Troas got it right.  We must, in the words of 1 Thessalonians 5.22 (KJV), “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”  What people think about us does matter!  We must never bring reproach on the name of our Lord nor upon the church for which he died to make holy.  We are stars that shine in the blackest of nights (Philippians 2.18)!

How about you?  If your life was a book, what would people be reading?  Do you have anything to hide?  If so, confess it right now to Jesus, and determine to let the light shine so that people will see your good words and glorify your father in heaven!

Prayer: Lord, I want my life to be an open book of holiness and honesty and honor to the God I serve.  Help me to be careful to avoid even the appearance of evil.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 75:6-10

6 For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,

7 but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another.

8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.

9 But I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.

10 All the horns of the wicked I will cut off, but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.