If you were to light a match and hold it up against a wall, you’d see a shadow of the matchstick but not the tiny flame. Light has no shadow. God is light and in Him there is no darkness. Light is the character of God. He is not a light; He is light itself.
“This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 (NKJV)
“There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.” Matthew 17:2 (NKJV)
When a storm hits and our electricity is knocked out, we run for the flashlight and candles. With light, we can move through obstacles and see the path before us. With light, we avoid painful toe-stubs.
God’s light gives us spiritual sight and understanding. He enables us to see far enough ahead to take steps forward. We may not see miles before us but He does light our path enough to continue forward, even if it is just one step at a time.
“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.’”
John 8:12 (NKJV)
When God created the universe, He used light to dispel the darkness and chaos that was over the earth. Then He created the lights in the sky… the sun, moon, and stars. Since He is light itself and the source of light, He only had to speak for the light to come into being. Light is a metaphor for goodness and righteousness. Darkness signifies evil and sin.
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.”
Genesis 1:1-4 (NIV)
Light represents life. Without light, everything on earth would die. How amazing is the process of photosynthesis? Plants feed on light! Their leaves contain chlorophyll, which makes food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide. Our spirits need light to live. We need God to survive!
God is light, which means He is perfectly holy. The Holy Trinity: Father God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are without sin. Our personal sin(s) hinders our prayers and separates us from God. Sin destroys our intimacy with God. This is why we need a Savior. Jesus slipped into this world and carried the sins of the world to the cross. He was the ultimate sacrificial lamb. Through His death and resurrection, our relationship with God was restored.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)
Light is associated with truth, in that it exposes whatever exists… both the good and the bad. We cannot hide our sins from God. He knows all and sees all. Because He longs for our fellowship, He brings sin to our attention and convicts us so that we may confess it. His forgiveness has no bounds and is freely given.
“When anyone becomes aware that they are guilty in any of these matters, they must confess in what way they have sinned.” Leviticus 5:5 (NIV)
Jesus called us to be the light of the world. How can we do this? The answer is simple but not easy in action. To be effective lights, we must live life in a way that we point others to Christ. We must model with our lives the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-13).
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Ephesians 5:8 (NKJV)
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Matthew 5:14-15 (NIV)
May the Lord encourage you and give you strength as you strive to live like lights in this dark world.