Jesus Christ, "The True Light" of the World

• Woe unto them that put Darkness for Light, and Light for Darkness - The big problem that man faces is his inability to see his own sinfulness. He is blinded to it. In fact, he actually thinks he is “righteous”, or “good”. Spiritual darkness is a characteristic of unsaved man. 2 Cor 4:3-4 says, “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them”. Man dead in trespasses and sins, cannot see spiritual things. He cannot understand spiritual truths, as they relate to God and His Word, apart from God opening up man’s understanding. He is far away from the truth of the Word of God. He is quite happy and content, for the most part, living in this world in ignorance, without knowledge of God in the world. Mankind in this darkness, can develop all manner of false religions and false gods and false ideas about the true God. They can come up with philosophies and theories and traditions and religions, yet in all these philosophies what is revealed is the truth that man sits in darkness. Mat 6:23, reminds us: “But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” Isa 5:20-21 admonishes, “Woe unto them... that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; ...”

Isa 5:20-24 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink: which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.”

• Jesus is the “True Light”, which Lighteth Every Man that cometh into the world - It is His glory, indeed, that was the source of light when He declared in Gen 1:3, “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light” even though He had not yet created the sun. 1 Tim 6:16 announces that the invisible God – the Creator – is unapproachable without the Lord Jesus: “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen”.  Psa 107:10 reveals the sinful nature of all who are unsaved: “Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron”. This verse is also quoted in Isa 9:1-2, and adds that there is genuine hope in spite of man’s sinfulness: “Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, ... The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined”.  It also appears in Mat 4:16 and other New Testament passages as well: “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up”. God gives this glorious declaration in John 1:1,4-5,9 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 14And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth”. The spiritual “everlasting light” spoken of in Isa 60:19-20 will one day be fulfilled literally in the New Heavens and the New Earth. It will be His inexpressible glory that will illuminate the “New Jerusalem” for eternity, according to Rev 21:23: “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.”

John 1:1-5,9 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 9That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.”

Luke 1:78-79 “Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, 79To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Isa 60:19-20 “The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.”

• Men loved Darkness rather than Light, because their Deeds were Evil - Men hated this light; they did not want the Light of God, who was personified by Jesus who was and is the truth of God.  He came to the world and the world had Him crucified and placed on a Cross. John 3:19 explains why this is so: “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil”. We see that this idea of “hiding from God” stems from our sinfulness as seen in Isa 29:15: “Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?”. Rev 1:14 gives this portrait of God the Son: “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire…”. Indeed, those eyes can penetrate the vast, dark regions of the human heart, open it up, lay it bare, and leave nothing hidden to Him, Who is Eternal Light. 1 Cor 4:5 further adds: “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God”. Spiritual darkness is intimately identified with spiritual death and eternal condemnation. Rom 2:16 speaks of that Last Day: “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel”. Bible also warns of Satan’s deceptive show as an imitator of Christ. We read that he comes as “an angel [or messenger] of light” with his counterfeit “ministers of righteousness” in 2 Cor 11:14-15: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works”. In order to maintain his hold on mankind, Satan works feverishly at his main objective, which is that of deceiving mankind with false gospels to keep them from hearing the Truth. He accomplishes that primarily by keeping people in bondage to various religions and false gospels and using his lying human “ministers of righteousness”. Rev 19:20 declares the end — destiny of all the unsaved and Satan with his emissaries : “And the beast [Satan] was taken, and with him the false prophet [his ministers] that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone”. In Mat 25:30, we see that one of the prominent characteristics of Hell is “outer darkness”: “And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth”.

John 3:19-21 “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”

John 12:46 “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”

• Thy Words giveth Light; It giveth Understanding unto the Simple - Even though Peter saw a part of the Lord’s glory during the experience on the Mount of Transfiguration, he declares in 2 Pet 1:19, under the inspiration of God: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts”. Then verses 20 and 21 tell us that he is speaking about God’s Holy Word, the Bible. This Word has more validity than even what Peter, James and John witnessed with their five physical senses that day on the mountain with Christ. Pro 6:23 declares, “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:” This is why Israel was told to bind the Law on their “foreheads”. This symbolized that God’s Word was to be in front of their eyes (on their minds) at all times – in their personal lives, in their marriages, in raising children, in their vocations, in their spare time activities, in their use of money, in their social relationships – in every area of their lives. May God cause us to seek His Word as Psa 119:105 teaches: “as a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path”. I will leave you with this solemn pronouncement that encourages all of us to trust the only the Bible and look to it for divine truth. Isa 8:20 proclaims, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them”. 

Psa 119:130 “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”

2 Pet 1:16-21 “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. 19We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

• Believers are sent to bear Witness of that Light - 2 Cor 4:6 highlights the necessity of salvation, by the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Savior for sinners: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”. And Acts 26:23 declares the redemption that God has procured for each believer from the “darkness” and “power of Satan” by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ: “That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles”. Psa 27:1, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Rev 22:3-5 describes those who have been redeemed by the grace of God as joyfully beholding the Father’s face: “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever”.  Those individuals whom God has chosen to save are called, among other names, the elect, the redeemed, the sheep, His people, and the children of God. They are described thusly in 1 Pet 2:9: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”.  God commissioned Paul (and all true believers), as an “ambassador for Christ”, to be the apostle to the Gentiles, as we see from Acts 13:47 (quoting Isa 49:6), “For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth”. This is also revealed in Paul’s testimony of his Damascus road experience to King Agrippa, as found in Acts 26:16-18. May God grant us His strength to be ambassadors of His salvation program today.

John 1:6-8 “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.”

Isa 49:6 “And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob (the elect), and to restore the preserved of Israel (Israel of God): I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth”

Acts 26:16-18 “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me”

• Now are ye Light in the Lord - The Bible only knows of two great kingdoms that have opposed each other throughout history – the kingdom of God (light) and the kingdom of Satan (darkness). All human beings start out in the kingdom of Satan, but only God’s children have been placed within the kingdom of God as we read in Col 1:12-13: “Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:” In John 12:46, we read, “I [Jesus Christ] am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness”. This particular passage helps us to understand that spiritual light, or belief, is associated with spiritual life. This means that a person whom God draws to salvation will not remain in spiritual darkness because God will give him the faith of Christ as a gift. This can be verified by other verses, such as 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”. The truth is not merely a principle to be believed, but is intended to be lived out through which the true nature of the Christian become apparent. John 3:21 says that the one doing truth does so openly, letting his light shine as a witness – to demonstrate that his good works are done by God, who is working to will and to do of his good pleasure in the believer’s life, “… he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God”. We discover another aspect of fellowship, or salvation, in 1 John 1:6-7 where God highlights a vital facet of the Christian life as walking (or living) in “the light” as opposed to walking in “darkness”, which was our spiritual status prior to salvation. Eph 6:11 admonishes, “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light”

Eph 5:8-11 “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

1 John 2:8-11 “Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. 9He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. 11But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.”

Matt 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Neither 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. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Phil 2:15-16 “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.”

1 John 1:5-7 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”