“Now the message that we have heard from his Son and announce is this: God is light, and there is no darkness at all in him. If, then, we say that we have fellowship with him, yet at the same time live in the darkness, we are lying both in our words and in our actions. But if we live in the light—just as he is in the light—then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin” (1 John 1:5-7, The Good News Translation).
God is not only in the light. He Himself is light.
He is not just an ordinary kind of light. He is a “great light” (Isa. 9:2; Matt. 4:16) – the true light (John 1:9; 1 John 2:8) – the light of life (John 8:12). His is a marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). And He is “dwelling in light unapproachable” (1 Timothy 6:16, American Standard Version).
If we do not know where to go – if we do not know what to do in our life – this light will enlighten us to have the right direction. David said, “Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path” (Ps. 119:105, GNT).
Because of this light, we can also go through the darkness – difficulties or trials in life – with confidence in our heart. David also declared, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; I will fear no one. The LORD protects me from all danger; I will never be afraid” (Ps. 27:1, GNT).
Because of this light, we can really perceive the motive of our action and realize God is actually working through us. We read in John 3:21, “But everyone who lives by the truth will come to the light, because they want others to know that God is really the one doing what they do” (The Contemporary English version).
Because of this light, we are able to know, to behold, or to appreciate the goodness or excellence of God. Paul wrote, “The God who said, ‘Out of darkness the light shall shine!’ is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6, GNT).
How can we encounter this light?
We can experience this marvelous light through Jesus Christ.
He said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). He is the “Sun of Righteousness” (Malachi 4:2, ASV). We also read in John 1:4-5, “The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out” (GNT). He is God’s Splendor. Through Him, we see and experience the brilliance of the Goodness of God!
There are those who are teaching that Jesus never claimed to be God. Don’t forget 1 John 1:5 wherein we read, “God is light…” Thus, when Jesus said “I am the light…,” He was just like saying, “I am God…”
What will happen to those who believe in Him, as “the light”?
We read the first part of John 12:36, “While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light” (ASV). They become “sons of light.” Or, as we read in the first chapter of John, “This was the real light—the light that comes into the world and shines on all people. The Word was in the world, and though God made the world through him, yet the world did not recognize him. He came to his own country, but his own people did not receive him. Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God’s children” (verses 9-12, GNT) – they “become God’s children.”
Peter articulated it in these words:
“Come to the Lord (“But those who do what is true come to the light …” --John 3:21), the living stone rejected by people as worthless but chosen by God as valuable. Come as living stones, and let yourselves be used in building the spiritual temple, where you will serve as holy priests to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. For the scripture says, ‘I chose a valuable stone, which I am placing as the cornerstone in Zion; and whoever believes in him will never be disappointed.’ This stone is of great value for you that believe; but for those who do not believe: ‘The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all.’…But you are the chosen race, the King’s priests, the holy nation, God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:4-7, 9, GNT).
The “sons of light” or “God’s children” came out of darkness and now into God’s marvelous light (In the words of John 5:24, “…have already passed from death to life). And they themselves become “light.”
God’s Words says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house. Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16, ASV)
As “light” or sons of light, what are they suppose to do? They ought to let their light shine before men, through concrete, tangible good works.
As Paul expressed it: “Do not let anyone deceive you with foolish words; it is because of these very things that God’s anger will come upon those who do not obey him. So have nothing at all to do with such people. You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord’s people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light, for it is the light that brings a rich harvest of every kind of goodness, righteousness, and truth. Try to learn what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the worthless things that people do, things that belong to the darkness. Instead, bring them out to the light. (It is really too shameful even to talk about the things they do in secret.) And when all things are brought out to the light, then their true nature is clearly revealed; for anything that is clearly revealed becomes light. That is why it is said, ‘Wake up, sleeper, and rise from death, and Christ will shine on you’” (Eph. 5:6-14, GNT).
We do not “bring them out to the light” by criticizing, condemning, or embarrassing others of their wrong action or behavior. But by modeling to them the right thing to be done. For example in verses 18 of Ephesians 5: While others are drunk with wine, those who are in the light ought to “be filled with the Spirit.”
Now, let us listen to Peter: “But you are the chosen race, the King’s priests, the holy nation, God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvelous light… I appeal to you, my friends, as strangers and refugees in this world! Do not give in to bodily passions, which are always at war against the soul. Your conduct among the heathen should be so good that when they accuse you of being evildoers, they will have to recognize your good deeds and so praise God on the Day of his coming” (1 Peter 2:9, 11-12, GNT).
Indeed, those who are in the light, the sons of light, reflect the brilliance of the “Father of lights” (James 1:17, ASV) by their good works. Whatever goodness they display is just a “reflection” of the Goodness of God – the True Light.
Notice when the Almighty God showed His Glory to Moses in Exodus 33. In verse 19-23, God told Moses: “And he said, I will MAKE ALL MY GOODNESS pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of Jehovah before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. And he said, Thou canst not see my face; for man shall not see me and live. And Jehovah said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon the rock: and it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand until I have passed by: and I will take away my hand, and thou shalt see my back; but my face shall not be seen” (ASV).
The Great Goodness of God is also displayed by the intense brilliance of light – billion times brighter than the sun -- that we cannot survive if we are directly expose to it! His Goodness is so marvelous as His Splendor is.
If ever His brilliance is seen in His people, or any good is displayed by the sons of light – the Glory really belongs to the True Light – to God. In fact, Jesus told His followers: “Even so let your light shine before men; that THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS, AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER who is in heaven.”
Again, Peter also wrote: “Your conduct among the heathen should be so good that when they accuse you of being evildoers, THEY WILL HAVE TO RECOGNIZE YOUR GOOD DEEDS AND SO PRAISE GOD ON THE DAY OF HIS COMING.”
A portion of Jesus’ prayer to the Father: “I have shown your glory on earth; I have finished the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4, GNT). It was also His purpose to promote the Glory of God through the accomplishment of His work .
So, if we consider ourselves God’s children, the sons of light, or the light of the world – let our light shine before men, as we model the Goodness of the Father of lights to those around us – not to earn honor or merit for ourselves, but to promote God’s Goodness, or Excellence, or Glory.
But, if until now, we do not know where our life is headed, our heart is filled with apprehension, we are not sure of the right thing to do or believe, we do not experience the goodness and gladness of God – let’s come to Jesus Christ – the True and Great Light. Let’s believe only Christ can show us the way to the Father, give us forgiveness and righteousness, teach us the will of God and fill our heart with joy unspeakable.
PRAYER: Our Father – the Father of lights – whose Splendor, or Goodness overwhelms us, we are so grateful for calling us out of darkness and drawing us into your Holy Presence – the Marvelous Light. Through Your Holy Spirit empower us to magnify your Light to others who are still in darkness. Help them also to experience Your Goodness, so they can also rejoice in Your Brightness! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
