LIGHT
In the beginning, God said, "Let there be light." It was the first thing He spoke into the story. And from then on, throughout the Bible, light is woven in. Lampstands in the Tabernacle. Pillar of Fire on the path out of Egypt. A brilliant light knocking Paul off his high horse and taking him to his knees. Jesus, Himself, illuminated in light at the Mount of Transfiguration!
Why light? Because in God, there is no darkness at all. God is light. He can only be light!
Light brings vision, clarity. Light brings warmth. Light scatters fear, like when a child finds comfort in the dark when someone turns on a lamp. Light moves us away from confusion and into steady faith because there are no shadows to shade and distort our understanding. In the Old Testament, David understood this light as he sang his songs, weaving in the light of God to comfort himself:
“The LORD is my light and my salvation— Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the refuge and fortress of my life— Whom shall I dread?”
Psalms 27:1 AMP
Our New Testament tells us to come into the light, stay in the light, live in the light, walk in the light! Why? Because God never wants us to live in fear, anxiety, confusion, or angst. So He calls us into the light (to come close to Him) where none of that exists!
Now here’s something amazing. We read in the gospels that Jesus called Himself the Light of the World. But then He pointed to His followers and said, "Guess what, you are now like Me in this world -- LIGHT! You are the light of the world!" (Paraphrased) God doesn't require us to make our own light He gives us the light to walk in and fills us with the light (the Holy Spirit) to shine to others in the world. Do you know the God of Light? Are you filled with His Light? Then, you are the Light of the World!
God is light.
God lives in light.
God makes us light!
***
This is the message [of God’s promised revelation] which we have heard from Him and now announce to you, that God is Light [He is holy, His message is truthful, He is perfect in righteousness], and in Him there is no darkness at all [no sin, no wickedness, no imperfection].
1 John 1:5 AMP
The LORD is my light and my salvation— Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the refuge and fortress of my life— Whom shall I dread?
Psalms 27:1 AMP
“In the beginning God (Elohim) created [by forming from nothing] the heavens and the earth. [Heb 11:3] The earth was formless and void or a waste and emptiness, and darkness was upon the face of the deep [primeval ocean that covered the unformed earth]. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. God saw that the light was good (pleasing, useful) and He affirmed and sustained it; and God separated the light [distinguishing it] from the darkness. [2 Cor 4:6] And God called the light day, and the darkness He called night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.”
Genesis 1:1-5 AMP
Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John the brother of James, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. [Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36] And His appearance changed dramatically in their presence; and His face shone [with heavenly glory, clear and bright] like the sun, and His clothing became as white as light.
Matthew 17:1-2 AMP
Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord [and relentless in his search for believers], went to the high priest, and he asked for letters [of authority] from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any men or women there belonging to the Way [believers, followers of Jesus the Messiah], men and women alike, he could arrest them and bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem. As he traveled he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him [displaying the glory and majesty of Christ]; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice [from heaven] saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting and oppressing Me?” And Saul said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He answered, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” The men who were traveling with him [were terrified and] stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul got up from the ground, but though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank.”
Acts 9:1-9 AMP
Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.””
John 8:12 AMP
“You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. [Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16; 11:33] Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:14-16 AMP
For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light] (for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him—your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation]. Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character]; for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light [of God’s precepts], for it is light that makes everything visible.
Ephesians 5:8-13 AMP
photo: copilot
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