Life in the Light

Sitting by the lake, soaking up the last rays of the day, and thinking about life in the light is a simple but profound pleasure. Just seeing light shine through the fresh green leaves, or observing the changing light conditions at dawn or dusk, or being amazed by the sparkles of light reflecting off the surface of the ripples on the lake, is a feast for the eyes. Without light there would be no colours. Without light we would have a hard time finding our way. Without light, there would be no life. Photosynthesis powers this planet, giving us food to eat and oxygen to breathe. We need light to live.

Light is one of the most vivid images in the Bible. From the first to the last chapter of Scripture light plays a key role. We read in Gen.1:3: “3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.” And in Rev.22:5 we receive this promise: “5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.”

In the prologue of John’s Gospel he very intentionally imitates the opening words of the Torah and shows that the fulfilment of all that the Law of Moses looked forward to can be found in the person of Christ: John 1:4-9: “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.”

So that no one could miss it, Jesus spells it out for us in John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” And again in John 12:46: “46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.”

The NT writers love to dwell on that image and the impact that light has on our lives. Peter shows the stark contrast in 1.Pet.2:9-10: “9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” And Paul writes to the Corinthians (in 2 Cor.4:6): “6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” The Colossians he encourages with these words (in Col.1:12-14): “ the Father… has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” And to the Thessalonians he explains that our confidence in the midst of hardships and our whole identity as Christians is based on being children of light (1.Thes.5:4-5): “4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. ”
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Of course, as children of light, our life style needs to reflect this new standing, and the apostles are quick to encourage us to live with Christ at the center so He can shine through us. In Eph.5:8-20 Paul reminds us: “you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Now that’s life in the light!