1 Corinthians 13:11-13 21st Century King James Version

¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then shall I know, even as also I am known. ¹³ And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

Copyright © 1994 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc.

Other versions translate glass as mirror. What is a mirror if not a glass that is coated on the back side in order to see our own reflection? We will never see Jesus in the mirror. In this version it describes the glass as darkly and what is darkness? Sin?

Since the obstacle to seeing Jesus on the other side of this glass is our sins, no amount of cleaning the glass on our side will remove the sin on the other side. It is Jesus who forgives sins and cleans His side of the glass allowing us to see Him a little better as sin in our lives is removed.

But we continue to sin and that darkens His side of the glass. If we cannot see Him more clearly, it is our sinning that interferes. He will not clean His side unless we repent and seek forgiveness.

Ephesians 1:4-5 Authorized (King James) Version

⁴ according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: ⁵ having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.

Being holy does two things. It cleans our side of the glass and keeps from darkening His side of the glass.

Psalm 85:7-9 English Standard Version

⁷ Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, and grant us your salvation. ⁸ Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. ⁹ Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.

Who do we listen to in life? I hope that the title of this devotional “Listen Up” might place some remembrance of words used in our lives.

How we receive those words depends on our relationship with the speaker. The circumstance where those words are used may well determine our emotional response.

In some cases it is a preamble to a command. That speaker has authority over us. One example is being addressed by a military commander. Details important to an upcoming campaign might be shared. There may be specific details given that might save lives.

Here is another way to think of it. Let me hear what the Lord my God has to say. Preachers and teachers have their own style in addressing a general assembly. They might not know each person in attendance. They might say something like “Hear the Word of the Lord.” What should follow is scripture but what if it is a word of prophecy?

When we listen to others do we seek to hear what God is speaking into our hearts or do we allow our relationship with the speaker dictate how we accept what is said?

We will all stand before someone where we have no personal relationship, feel no submission, no attachment, and may even doubt. That should have no bearing in how we “listen up” in those moments, trying to hear our Lord in what is being said.

Spirit speaks to spirit.