Light and Darkness

Light is so important in life and one of those things we sometimes take for granted. Without light we stumble. Without the light of the sun, plants would die, and we would not get the nutrients we need and the warmth for our bodies. Living in darkness would take its toll on our physical and psychological health. It is no wonder Jesus often talked about light and darkness and why Jesus is called The Light of the World.

John 12:46-48

I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.

Jesus is the Light that overcomes the darkness. The Light is righteousness. The Light shows us the way. The darkness is evil and all things bad. The light not only exposes the darkness, but overcomes it. We should always stay in the light.

John 1:1-9

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.

Jesus is that light that shines on the darkness. He created light. He lights our path and keeps us safe. Our lives are like when we are in the darkness of a cave, and when we see light, we follow that light, because that is where we will be safe and no longer lost.

John 3:18-21

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.”

When we believe in Jesus Christ we are no longer in darkness. The darkness of sin no longer holds us captive. We become children of light, we become God’s children. How great is God’s mercy and grace!

1 Peter 2:9-10

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Ephesians 5:8-14

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

What a wonderful gift God has given us, and as children of light, we should share that light with all those around us so that they have the chance to escape the darkness. Let us shine our light so that others can see.

Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

May God’s light be reflected through each of us, that our words and actions honor Him and that people see the love of Christ in us. The world is a dark place. We should be a positive influence on others and not allow the darkness of this world influence us.

Luke 11:33-36

“No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.”

We must be careful of the things we watch and the things we do and who we hang out with, for the world is watching. We need to be like Jesus. We need others to know that we are God’s people and share who He is. Let us praise Him and proclaim His name. Let us give those around us every opportunity to obtain the grace and mercy that we have received.

1 John 1:5-7

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 Peter 2:9-10

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.