Enlightenment

Enlightenment in the dictionary is defined as the action of enlightening or the state of being enlightened. I found the following synonyms listed helpful in understanding this term:  insight, understanding, awareness, wisdom, education, learning, and knowledge. Most of these words have come up, or will be talked about shortly, in this study of God’s attributes.

God wants us to be in the light so we can see the truth and know it. If we don’t let Him enlighten us, we will remain lost to spiritual darkness. This was discussed in Light Pierces the Dark posted on February 21, 2018. The following verse is an example of God’s enlightenment.

Psalms 18:28 NKJV

For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

If we let Him, He will lead us into the correct way of living that truly sets us free. His Word not only talks of moral issues, but many day to day things including health, diet and work. The Israelites did not go without diseases, but had a system to help keep them from spreading without doctors and hospitals. That was from God. He knows what we need to live healthy and productive lives. He knows how we are to treat one another and work with one another to accomplish the proper tending of the world around us.

Psalms 19:8 NKJV

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

His laws teach us how to treat one another and to keep everything in perspective with God at the head. Three of the commandments are about how to honor Him and the Sabbath. It starts with the fact that He loves us and expects us to love Him back. He wants relationship not ritualistic religion.

The Enlightenment Period removed God from the center and produced men who believed reason was the primary source of authority and legitimacy. Many still believed in a Creator, but they robbed God of His position by writing off miracles as not existing since reason and science could not explain them. Some gave up on Christianity because of the how rigid Catholicism was. A lot of great things came out of this period, but there was a movement to deism and even atheism.

God did not give us the Ten Commandments to be a rules monger. He gave us ten simple things to do that would help us keep things correctly aligned in life. I know I have issues doing this and I strongly believe God’s laws are perfect. It’s natural for man to want to do it his own way. Most two year olds know the words ‘no’ and ‘mine’. We are naturally a selfish lot, but if we put God first and work on a lasting relationship with Him, the rest falls into line. We will know how to love even our enemies and how to treat everyone we meet. Simple reasoning and logic is not going to produce the love we need to have in order to correct the deepest issues of this world.

Does your life feel like a struggle instead of liberating? Check your source for how you live your life. Give a true relationship with God a try.