From the perspective of the New Testament : ‘The Lord's Illumination VS Man's Reflection’
Acts 9:3-5 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied.
Acts 6:15 All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.
|
Theme |
The Lord's Illumination |
Man's Reflection |
Description |
Explanation |
Examples |
Related Scripture |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Direction of Light |
From the Lord to man |
From Man to others |
The Lord is the light source, man is both receiver and reflector |
The Lord first illuminates believers, then believers reflect this light to others |
Lord's illumination: God's glory shining in human hearts Man's reflection: Believers manifesting Christ to others |
Lord's illumination: 2 Cor 4:6 Man's reflection: Matt 5:16 |
|
Process of Light |
Revelation and transformation |
Beholding and reflecting |
The Lord's light brings revelation and change, man's reflection is beholding and reflecting the Lord's glory |
The Lord's light reveals truth and transforms, man reflects by beholding the Lord and reflecting His glory |
Lord's illumination: Paul's experience on Damascus road Man's reflection: Stephen's face reflecting glory |
Lord's illumination: Acts 9:3-5 Man's reflection: Acts 6:15 |
|
Obstacles to Light |
Removing the veil |
Unveiled face |
The Lord removes the veil from man's heart, man reflects with an unveiled face |
The Lord's light removes blindness to truth, man reflects the Lord's glory with an open heart |
Lord's illumination: Removing the veil from the heart Man's reflection: Beholding the Lord with an open heart |
Lord's illumination: 2 Cor 3:14-16 Man's reflection: 2 Cor 3:18 |
|
Result of Light |
Liberation and freedom |
Progressive transformation |
The Lord's light brings spiritual freedom, man's reflection brings gradual change |
The Lord's light liberates from the law's control, man's reflection gradually transforms into the Lord's image |
Lord's illumination: Freedom from the law Man's reflection: Gradual transformation into the Lord's image |
Lord's illumination: 2 Cor 3:17 Man's reflection: 2 Cor 3:18 |
|
Scope of Light |
Complete revelation |
Progressive reflection |
The Lord's light is complete revelation, man's reflection is gradually increasing |
The Lord fully reveals Himself, man gradually increases in knowledge and reflection of the Lord |
Lord's illumination: Complete revelation of redemption Man's reflection: Change from glory to glory |
Lord's illumination: Col 1:19-20 Man's reflection: 2 Cor 3:18 |
|
Nature of Light |
Infusion of life |
Metabolic change |
The Lord's light infuses life, man's reflection is metabolic change of life |
The Lord infuses His life into man, man experiences renewal and transformation of life |
Lord's illumination: Infusion of Christ's life Man's reflection: Renewal of the mind |
Lord's illumination: John 1:4 Man's reflection: Rom 12:2 |
|
Goal of Light |
To know Christ |
To be conformed to Christ's image |
The Lord's light aims to make man know Christ, man's reflection aims to become like Christ |
The Lord's light reveals Christ's riches, man's reflection gradually transforms into Christ's likeness |
Lord's illumination: Knowing the riches of Christ Man's reflection: Being conformed to Christ's image |
Lord's illumination: Eph 1:17-18 Man's reflection: Rom 8:29 |
This table compares different aspects of the Lord's illumination and man's reflection, showing how these two processes are interrelated and complementary. It emphasizes God's initiative and man's response, and how this interaction leads to continuous transformation and growth in the believer's life.
*Please refer to the 2024 Memorial Day Conference - The Christian Life, Week Six: The Triune God in Christ as Our Life by Shining into Our Hearts
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