Handle With Care

Handle With Care!

(Light bulb): A bulb shaped part made of glass, of a lamp which encloses the filament, which when turned on produces light.

Light bulbs, we use them every day in our homes, jobs, roads etc. etc. Their history goes back while, the commercial production of them started in 1879, prior to that Thomas Edison had the hardest time inventing one in his lab in New Jersey. His problem was finding the right filament to put inside the bulb, but with time through his “invention factory” found the solution to the problem. Since those humble beginnings though, the industry has lit up the world. Today they are many companies that manufacture them in many sizes, uses and wattages, the giants of the industry are GE, Sylvania, Phillips and many others.

Today, we (the church of God) are involved in a similar situation. We are the GREATEST “light producing company” in the world (spiritually) and it is us collectively and individually. But there is a serious problem, no God does not have a problem similar to that of Thomas Edison, in that he could not find the proper filament to put inside the “bulb.” Because that He has solved with His truth as David plainly testified, “THE ENTRANCE OF THY WORDS GIVETH LIGHT…” Psalm 119:130. The production line of “bulbs” of this “creator and designer” has been running since 30AD, in the form of His “called out ones.” But the problem has been as we see it in the past and present churches of God, that being that these “light bulbs” can think and speak this has sparked the problem of some lights wanting to “outshine” or even “burn” others. It is when we are judgmental, critical and even having hatred of these other living lights. In the epistle of James it says, “But if you have bitter envying’s and strife IN YOUR HEARTS, GLORY NOT, and lie not against the truth” James 3:14.

So being that we are “light bulbs” on this “production line” it is better for us not to speak against, judge, criticize or even come to the point of hating (and that can be done ever so subtly). In doing these things against others that are called out it is like saying, ” Huh! “You are of a lower wattage you are pathetic, what is wrong with you! Why don’t you just take a look at me!” That is judging and condemning a work which it’s CREATOR and DESIGNER is in the process of making for benefit unto many others. He who has such an attitude let him go unto the owners of these “bulbs” that are being created, so as to see if they can speak. We cannot judge, criticize or try to “extinguish” any of these other lights that are being formed. We have to stop and think, “maybe that “bulb” is a “three-way light bulb,” God is the one who knows the inner heart of each individual and stage of development.

And He having taken our very likeness and form also having suffered in it we ought to think as He did, “And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears. But with righteousness he shall judge the poor (all of us)….” Isaiah 11:3-4. Also, “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment” John 7:24. Each one of us is like a light bulb (Matthew 5:14), and as lights we must handle each other with the utmost care and concern for it is written, “BELOVED, LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER” I John 4:7.

The next time you have a lightbulb in your hands stop and consider how careful you are being with it. So must we be with one another! “If there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels of mercies, fulfill you my joy, that you be like-minded, HAVING THE SAME LOVE, being of one accord, OF ONE MIND. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem the other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” Philippians 2:1-4.

Anything done outside of this love of God “power,” comes and does as what the Pharisees did unto the first lights to come “under production on the production line” and their Creator, “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now… And knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes” I John 2:9,11, later John says, they are as murders.

If we think “highly” of ourselves we are giving the “glory” to ourselves and will despise others, not giving it unto God our Creator. “A man (anyone) can receive nothing, except it be given from heaven” John 3:27. We are called the children of the light (Ephesians 5:8) who were once in darkness, yet from time to time we all have our highs, lows and in-betweens. But the “switch” that can make us “one light” is that which we have read above from the book of

Philippians 2:1-4 (NIV) 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Very soon, we will be “turned on for ever” (I Corinthians 15), and we will in harmony share the “space” as a family. It will be just as the stars in heaven are gathered together and form a galactic system that revolve around one core. But the love of God has to be running through us now in the presence others and thus “reflect” the ONLY LIGHT. WE CAN ONLY HAVE ONE MIND. DON’T TRY TO “SEE” OF WHAT “WATTAGE” YOUR BROTHERS OR SISTERS” HEAD IS, AS IF THEY HAVE A NUMBER ON TOP OF IT, THAT IS GOD’S SECRET AND THE FINAL RESULT WILL SHINE FORTH LATER!