“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5 NIV)

When you compare light with darkness you discover a very important truth, darkness does not exist. Darkness is only the absence of light. Think of it this way, you can have a flashlight but you cannot have a flash-dark. You cannot shine darkness because it does not exist. You cannot bring darkness into a room full of light and extinguish light, but you can, however, bring light into a dark room and extinguish darkness.

Light and darkness are metaphors for good and evil

 “This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:5-7 NIV)

Jesus is the light of the world

There is another Light, a Light so important that Jesus, the Son of God, came to both declare and impart it to men. John 8:12 (NIV), says, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.’” The allegory used by the Lord in this verse speaks of the light of His Truth, the light of His Word, the light of eternal Life. Those who perceive the true Light will never walk in spiritual darkness.

Jesus Christ brings light to the darkness of any heart. It is the Good News about the truth of God’s love that is capable of overcoming any obstacle, no matter how dark.

God’s light is shed upon the darkness of all sin, allowing human beings the opportunity to escape the dark grip of sin for the light of God’s love. This is why (and how) “the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7 NIV)

Therefore…

Jesus tells us to keep our light out in the open where it can do good.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16 NKJV)

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“Do everything without grumbling or arguing so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” (Phil. 2:14-15)

Everything means exactly what it says!

The passage above starts off with a command to “Do everything without grumbling or arguing”. That’s a tall order, actually, because “everything” means, well, it means everything! And, that includes a lot of possibilities!

Small and large things! 

Everything includes little things like traffic annoyances, or someone being a little rude to you on the phone. And it includes big things like major automotive repairs, dealing with difficult family members, being pulled over for a traffic violation, or even having to work for a difficult boss.

Blameless and pure without fault!

But this command comes with a wonderful payoff promise: “so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.'”

It makes you stand out and shine!

When you live a self-controlled life, and you resist the temptation to react negatively to life’s difficult and challenging situations, you stand out from the crowd, many of which are part of “a warped and crooked generation”. “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” 

That makes it all worth it! And, that’s a great promise to aspire to!

Therefore…

“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” (Eph. 5:8 ESV)

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor. 4:6 ESV)

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16 ESV)

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“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:13-14 NIV)

He HAS rescued us from darkness! 

Notice that this promise declares that “He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness.” It is written in past tense because it is a done deal! It is finished, paid for, and completed! This is a bold promise!

Because of this…

You no longer are a part of the old covenant system of being separated from God by a wall of sin and darkness! (Matt. 27:51) You are now a member of “the kingdom of the Son He loves!” You have been redeemed and have been given total “forgiveness of sins.” You can now come boldly to God at any moment to instantly find mercy and grace in the time of need!

Therefore…

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” (Eph. 5:8 NIV)

“Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Heb. 4:16 NIV)

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“The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord.” (Psalm 37:23 KJV)

God’s personal guidance 

One of the great benefits of being connected to God is the personal guidance you can expect to receive from Him. 

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8 ESV)

His Holy Spirit guides you into all truth

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (John 16:13 NIV)

His Spirit reminds you of His Words 

As we read and study Scriptures, and it gets into our minds, the Holy Spirit brings appropriate Scriptures back to our remembrance at just the right moment to bring needed comfort, guidance and truth into every situation as needed.  

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26 ESV). 

 God’s Word brings light to your path 

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105 KJV).

Therefore…

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” (Psalm 37:23 ESV)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6 ESV) 

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jer. 33:3 ESV)

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“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (John 1:5 ESV) 

Benefits of Light: It allows you to see, it gives warmth, it gives energy, it leads to higher productivity, it improves your mood, it Inspires, it reflects, it drives out darkness, it brightens, it is Necessary for life.

The Bible teaches clearly that there is a relationship between life and light. Life always follows light, and only light can bring forth life.

“With thee is the fountain of life; in thy light shall we see light.” (Psalm 36:9 KJV) 

Jesus is the light of life

Just as living things need light from the sun to thrive and grow, followers of Jesus Christ need the light of God to bring His life into us. Our first experience of God’s light was when we heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and His light penetrated our darkness. We believed in the resurrected Jesus and what He did for us, and we received Him as our Savior. 

“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12 ESV)

Benefits of shining God’s Light

•  It glorifies God – “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:14-16 NIV)

• It adds value to others – “They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world’.” - (John 4:42 NIV)

•  It ensures you are making wise use of the time – “Therefore He says: ‘Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.”  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:14-16)

• It exposes evil works of darkness – “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Eph. 5:11 NIV)

• It gives assurance of both earthly and a heavenly reward  – “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.” (Rev. 22:12 NLT)

Therefore…

”But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)

Quote

”We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining- they just shine.”- Dwight L. Moody

“If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it.” - Thomas Fuller

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“He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light.” (Job 12:22)

Before I had personally prayed to commit my life to Jesus I had been attending church on Sunday mornings with the family I was living with. I wasn't interested in religious things really, and was only going to church because I felt duty bound to do so because they were committed to it.

A simple prayer changed everything!

Then, one afternoon while driving, I prayed a simple heartfelt prayer and asked Jesus to come into my life and help me. I had been struggling with alcohol and prayed the simple prayer in a fit of desperation. Afterwards, I felt a great sense of relief.

A big difference

The following Sunday I was back in the same church as usual, but something was very different! The pastor seemed to be preaching much better and clearer than before! He was interesting! I could understand what he was talking about! I enjoyed it! Afterwards, I complimented him on his “new and improved” style of preaching. I told him I was glad he changed his preaching style and hoped he continued to preach this way instead of the boring way he usually did. He just looked at me and said, “Mike! I haven't changed! I spoke exactly the same way I always do! So, if it isn't me, something obviously must have changed with you!” I then remembered that I had prayed to invite Jesus into to my life.”

The light had come on with me!

Jesus is “the light of the world” and after I had received him, he brought his light into my life. That's why I was suddenly different. I was a new creation in Jesus! I had come to see the light!

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12 NIV)