The New Testament epistles are filled with references to light, brightness, and shining. Since God Himself is “light” (I John 1:5), we should as His children also be found walking in the light.
In Creation, natural light produced many blessings upon our planet. The light streaming from the sun caused flowers to bloom, called dormant seeds forth from the soil, brought grain to maturity, and allowed animal and bird life to flourish. What was from the beginning still occurs to this very day. Light produces life.
So also, spiritual light from the face of our Lord brings forth spiritual fruit in this world. His light has visible and lasting effects upon us. Let’s consider a few applications given in the epistles on the subject of light.
God’s light produces holiness.
“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” (Romans 13:12). In the context of this verse, Paul urged the believers at Rome to not walk in rioting and drunkenness but rather to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh. He used the illustration of light to describe the Christian walking in holiness. Just as the light of the sun sterilizes the unclean, kills germs, and purifies the planet, so also the light of God purifies His people.
God’s light produces our testimony.
“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” (II Corinthians 4:6). Just as the sun’s light is reflected by the moon, so also God’s light is reflected in the hearts and on the faces of His people. In the context of this verse, Paul then continued, informing the Corinthians (and us today) that “we have this treasure in earthen vessels” (II Corinthians 4:7). We have the power and privilege of reflecting the light of God wherever we go!
God’s light produces communion.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” (II Corinthians 6:14). Light and darkness are mutually exclusive: they cannot co-exist in the same space. It is with light that we are able to see one another. Light illuminates facial expressions. Those who love God’s light can recognize and have fellowship with others who also are walking in the light.
God’s light produces direction.
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). Light illuminates a pathway on a dark night. Just as a hiker today would not think of walking a trail at night without a flashlight, so also a man in Bible times carried a clay lamp when he was walking at night. As we walk in the light, we have clear direction. We can see the next step. The future is not a mystery when we are walking in God’s light.
God’s light produces watchfulness.
“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light” (Ephesians 5:14). Picture in your mind a mother turning on the light to awaken a sleeping child; similarly, God shines His light into our darkness in order to awaken us and cause us to be alert. We should be living in God’s light, watchful and readily awaiting His return!
God’s light produces praise.
“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” (I Peter 2:9). A very real connection exists between light and praise in Scripture. Just as the rising of the sun calls forth the singing of the birds, so God’s light shining among His people calls forth our praise.
God’s light produces love.
“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. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him” (I John 2:8–10). To walk in God’s light is to walk in love. The Apostle John made it very clear that it is impossible to be walking in the light while harboring hatred toward one’s brother. May God help us to abide in His light and demonstrate that light by walking in love.
According to I John 1:5, “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” Light is not merely something that God produces. It is something that God is. Light is one of His revealed attributes.
God’s light has a very real effect upon all that it touches. His light produces spiritual fruit in our lives. May we always be mindful to express gratitude and praise to Him for shining His light abroad into our hearts!
