Today, in the year 2019, we are dependent upon artificial lighting for almost everything that we do after dark. It is hard for us to imagine a world when men were dependent upon the stars, moonlight, candles, torches, or kerosene lamps to see at night. My own Dad (circa 1915) often told us that he had to do his homework by kerosene lamps.
We have become so reliant upon the convenience of artificial lights that when a storm causes a power outage, we are hindered in our ability to function. Schools often close, and people feel extremely deprived without lights. Thank God for Thomas Edison, who created the first commercially viable incandescent lightbulb in 1880.
But let’s look back to much earlier time when God looked down upon a world without light and spoke it into existence. Genesis 1:3 (KJV) states:
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was Light.
One of the definitions of light, according to Merriam Webster, is something that makes vision possible. Darkness, on the other hand, is defined as a state of being without or devoid or partially devoid of light.
Natural darkness is not the only thing that people grapple with today. Spiritual darkness pervades the lives of men and women because of the devastation of sin. God, who spoke natural light into existence, sent Jesus Christ to earth to serve as the spiritual Light for men.
In the Gospel of John 1:3-5 (KJV) we discover that Jesus Christ, the Co-creator of all things, was our perfect spiritual Light.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the Light of men.
Light causes darkness to vanish, both naturally and spiritually; darkness will never comprehend or overcome Light. When we flip a light switch that activates a sufficient source of power, any darkness in a room immediately yields to the light. The same is true of spiritual darkness. When the Light of Jesus Christ is allowed into one’s heart, the darkness of sin must immediately yield to that Holy Light. Evil succumbs to the truth, spiritual confusion dissipates, and spiritual blindness ceases Matt. 1:5 (KJV).
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
But the Light of Jesus Christ has to be received into one’s heart for the Light to have its expected impact. John 3:19-20 (KJV) affirms that Jesus Christ is the Light that was sent into the world to illuminate the lives of men to the truth, but the Light was rejected.
19 And this is the condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light, because their deeds were evil.
It is evil in a man’s heart that causes him to choose to remain in darkness and refuse salvation.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the Light, neither cometh to the Light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
God has provided a way for men to be set free from sin, but the hearts of humankind have to be open to the Light (John 1:21 KJV).
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the Light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Jesus is a gentleman who would never force himself upon anyone unwilling to know the truth. But the excellent news for humankind comes when one receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. He empowers us also to become a light in the sin-darkened world. Matt. 5:14-15 (KJV) states:
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
As Christians, we have been given a charge to allow our little lights to shine forth so that our good works might glorify our Heavenly Father. We are the light of the world (Matt. 5:16 KJV).
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven
Let us pray: Dear Heavenly Father we are grateful that You sent the Holy Light of Jesus Christ into our hearts. Thank you for illuminating us so that we could see and understand our need for salvation. Use us so that our little lights may shine brightly in this sin-darkened world. May our lights help others to find their way to You. In the Mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen and Amen.
I’m Going to Let My Little Light Shine
I am truly grateful for the light and the power that it holds because of the light we can be free.
John 8:12
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” No matter how much darkness tries to take over, it will never because once the light is present darkness can’t comprehend. The light is more power in meaningful in today’s society and so is spiritual. Thank you, Lord, for the light. This post blessed me and thank you for letting the Lord use you.