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In 1997, Tim began sending out "HEM-Lines", a weekly e-mail devotional sent free of charge to anyone who requests it. In January of 2009 the name was changed to "LightGrams". Below is one of the more recent devotionals sent out. If you'd like to be added as a subscriber, write to Tim@GraceMine.org and request to be included.
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LightGrams
January 19, 2012
Volume 16, Number 3
"Skeletons In The Closet"
Idioms are helpful devices. If I say, for example, that someone is
"pulling my leg", you likely understand that the person is having fun
at my expense. If you interpret my words literally, you might wonder
if I am paying a visit to a chiropractor. The phrase is not meant to
be taken literally, but folks who are just learning the English
language don't always understand that.
A "skeleton in the closet" is that kind of image. I suppose there
have been people who have had actual skeletons stored somewhere in
their houses, but that's now how we interpret that phrase. We usually
think that a person has something to hide if that idiom is used of
them. And that can be worse than storing bones in one's house (unless
they're there as a result of a crime).
In today's headlines are two examples of prominent men who may have
skeletons about to be exposed. Both are running for the office of
President of the United States. Such a pursuit brings with it intense
scrutiny by the media. Secrets become exceedingly hard to conceal,
and these men are among many others who have learned the hard way
about such matters.
Are there any among us who can say, "I have nothing to hide"? Or, if
we are honest, would we admit, "I'd rather you not look in that
closet".
The Bible is remarkable for many reasons. On that list of reasons is
the way it honestly presents those we call heroes in God's word.
Abraham is regarded as a great man of faith. But the Bible also shows
how he tried to pass off his beautiful wife as his sister out of fear
for his life (Genesis 12:10-20). David, one of the truly outstanding
men of the Old Testament, tried to conceal an adulterous affair and
the execution of an innocent man (2 Samuel 11).
Two observations can be made about the Bible's unvarnished
presentation of its greatest people: (1) God's word is honest, and
doesn't pretend that great men and women have been without flaws.
That's not a trait you'll find in other ancient books. Heroes of
other cultures are typically portrayed as having no warts (another
idiom!) at all. The Bible is honest and truthful in all respects.
(2) God's word shows that flawed men and women can yet be valuable in
God's service. We often think that mistakes of the past disqualify us
from serving the Lord. But consider the impact the apostle Peter had
on the church, the same man who denied knowing Jesus (Luke 22:54-62).
Mary Magdalene might have been ashamed of the fact that she had been
possessed by seven demons (Mark 16:9). But that didn't keep her from
following the Lord all the way to His crucifixion (Mark 15:40,41), and
being one of the first to see His empty tomb (Mark 16:1-7).
The message of Scripture is clear: Those who have had dark pasts are
not out of luck with God. After listing several shameful sins, Paul
then addressed his Corinthian readers: "And such were some of you.
But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified
in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (1
Corinthians 6:11). There were indeed skeletons in their past, but the
word "were" shows them to be a thing of the past.
I don't know your secrets; you don't know mine. But God knows them
all, and He loves us anyway!
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him
in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you'd like
to discuss these ideas further.
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Copyright, 2012, Timothy D. Hall. All scripture quotations, unless
otherwise noted, are from the New King James Version (Copyright, 1990,
Thomas Nelson, Inc.).
"LightGrams" is produced by the Central Church of Christ, 2722 Oakland
Avenue, Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601, and is written by Tim Hall,
minister. It is sent free of charge every Thursday to all who request
it. To subscribe or to receive more information, write to
"Tim@GraceMine.org" (our E-mail address), to the U.S. mail address
above, or call (423) 282-1571.
Permission to reproduce and/or use the messages for noncommercial
purposes is freely granted provided the messages are not altered.
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