John 8:12: “Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life.’”
John 9:5: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
John 12:46: “I have come as light into the world, that everyone who believes in Me may not remain in darkness.”
“… [B]elievers are called ‘sons of light,’ Luke 16:8, not merely because they have received a revelation from God, but because in the new birth they have received the spiritual capacity for it.” (W. E. Vines)
I. PHYSICAL LIGHT
Allows us to see objects and people, to see beauty, danger, etc.
A. Natural
Creation - “…‘Let there be light.’…” Gen. 1:3
Sun, moon, stars
B. Artificial
Lamps, candles, light bulbs (night baseball, Thomas Edison, light bulb symbolizes an idea)
C. Miraculous
Israelites had light in their dwellings, while the Egyptians had thick darkness (Ex. 10:23)
Pillar of fire (Ex. 13:21)
Transfiguration (Matt. 17:2)
Saul’s conversion (Acts 9:3, 22:6, 26:13)
II. SPIRITUAL LIGHT
Even if a person cannot see physical light, he or she can experience brilliant spiritual light. An extreme example is Samson, who only after he was blinded really opened his spiritual eyes and wanted to glorify God instead of gratify himself. May God open all of our eyes spiritually without our needing that kind of discipline!
The word light is used metaphorically to describe or represent spiritual things.
A. Light represents the nature of God.
God is light (I John 1:5)
God is “the father of lights” (James 1:7)
God “dwells in unapproachable light. . .” (I Tim. 6:16)
Heaven is a place of great light: Light is an important part of the nature of heaven. And God
Himself is the source of that light.
Isa. 60:19, God’s Kingdom, Col. 1: 12-14 (vs. darkness), Rev. 21:23-24, 22:5, God illuminates.
B. Light symbolizes spiritual illumination.
2 Cor. 4:3-6: “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”
The Holy Spirit works in us to help us understand spiritual things.
First, we understand the gospel. Then we grow in a relationship with Christ.
We understand Him more because we spend time with Him in His Word and prayer, and His church. We become His disciples: followers and learners. Then we help others.
C. Light symbolizes holiness and purity.
Romans 13:12 : “ … lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
I John 1:6-7): “If we say we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
We strive to stay in God’s light and out of the darkness of sin.
I John 2:9-11: Love vs. hate for one’s brother = light vs. darkness.
D. Light symbolizes the Word of God.
Ps. 119:105 (KJV): “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
And a light unto my path.”
E. Light represents the spiritual work of the believer.
Believers: “You are the light of the world ….” (Matt. 5:14)
“I am the light of the world.”
“You are the light of the world.”
III. DARKNESS
A. Light shines in darkness
The darkness does not overcome it.
B. Even so, most of the world chooses darkness
Those who reject Christ choose darkness, lest their evil deeds should be exposed.
John 3:19-21: “And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the light, for their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.”
C. Christians can walk in darkness.
Indistinguishable from the world
Overcome by sin
Immorality
Gossip
Murmuring and complaining
Unrestrained Anger
Cheating
Lying
Hating one another
IV. CHRISTIANS MUST WALK IN THE LIGHT.
As Christians, we must overcome these things. We must be willing to ask for help from God, and others if needed, and be ready to help others who ask us. (Not taking the place of professional counseling, but with prayer and spiritual support, and practical help that is within our ability.)
If you are God’s child, He will discipline you. If we discipline ourselves, He may not need to do it for us. He will not leave us comfortable in sin.
Hebrews 5:12: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God….”
Maturing as a Christian involves increasing in knowledge and understanding of God’s Word, and discernment between good and evil, based on its teachings.
We often need to be reminded of the primary things, and to hear the gospel, but we ought to also move on to learning and applying more of the Word, such as discovering and using spiritual gifts, avoiding and overcoming temptations, and helping others.
We are the light of the world.
God will cleanse us from sin if we follow Him
We can live victoriously.
We can live in a way that pleases God, even though we’re not perfect.
We ought to correct ourselves before correcting others. Even then, avoid a judgmental attitude and try to be helpful.
Direct quotations from Scripture are from the New American Standard Bible unless otherwise noted.
Illustration: Christ in the House of Martha and Mary by Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675). National Gallery of Scotland. Via Wikipedia. Public domain.
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