Light

LIGHT
Can’t do seeking yet because something must make you want to seek. Desire. But what gives us the desire? When we are exposed to God. The light. In our good deeds. In the holy spirit. In the gospel’s message.
Light and Darkness –They seem to be universally understood. This image of light and darkness has been used by everyone from William Shakespeare to Darth Vader and from Jesus to Metallica. But there is also an illusive element to them. I tried to pinpoint just what light stood for, but I couldn’t. It is too complex, too deep for me to summarize in a few short thoughts and sentences. Paul, in Ephesians, wrote a section about living as children of light, John, in first John, wrote a section about walking in the light. It is a popular topic for David and Solomon in the Psalms and Proverbs. Isaiah mentions light and dark in 35 different passages. It is talked about by the Prophets Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Zechariah. It is mentioned in all four gospels, and many other books in the bible. The words light, dark, and reveal are used 476 times in the bible. From God’s first words:
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light ‘day’ and the darkness he called ‘night.’ And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.”
To the last chapter in Revelations talking about the New Jerusalem:
“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.”

So, I asked Dom and Darrin what they thought. And Darrin said something that made me realize why I was having so much trouble summing it up. He pointed out 1John 1:5 to me.
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light…”
There are only a few things that God is. One is love the other another is light. He is described as being holy but not being holiness, being strong but not being strength…etc. That’s when I realized that trying to summarize what light is, is about as easy as trying to summarize who God is. There are so many attributes that can describe it and all are good.

1) God/ Jesus
“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

“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9: 5

“God…who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.” 1Timothy 6:16

“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.” Psalm 89:13

“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 in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1John 1:5-

“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12:46

“By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.” Exodus 13:21

2) A light to Life
By following what the light reveals to us we will find life.
The Gospel of John starts off this way,
“In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word (Jesus) was with God, and the Word (Jesus) was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” John 1: 1-5

Jesus’ life and God’s word is a light to men.
“For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” Psalm 56: 13

“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:

“…God who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us I Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” 2Timothy 1:9-10

“For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life,” Proverbs 6: 23

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119 :105

“We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory form God the father when the voice came to him from the majestic glory, saying,” this is my son, whom I love: with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that comes from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
And we have the word of the prophets make more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2Peter 1:16-21

“Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours of daylight? A man who walks by day will not stumble, for he sees this world’s light. It is when he walks by night that he stumbles, for he has no light." John 11:10


3) To Reveal the Glory of God
“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 the glory of God in the face of Christ.” 2Corinthians 4:6

“Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.” Psalm 43:3

“The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, an the lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of earth will bring their splendor into it.” Revelations 21:22-24

“Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish things behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1Corinthians

4) It Reveals Us
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful to even mention what the disobedient do in secret.
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Ephesians 5:8-14

“You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.” Psalm 90:8

“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." John 3: 19-21

“What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roof tops.” Luke 12:3

“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:5

“He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” Daniel 2:22

5) We are lights when we are in the Lord
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.” Ephesians 5:8

“and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10

“You ARE the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 15?- 16

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God, without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life” Philippians 2:14-16a

“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.” Revelation 22: 5

“[ Living as Children of Light ] So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.” Ephesians 4:17-18
1) hardened their hearts-à goes to ignorance and darkness-à separation from the life of God

“Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37: 3-6

6) The light shines on those who follow God in ever increasing measures
“The path of the righteous is like the firs gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” Proverbs 4: 18-19

“and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.” Isaiah 58:10

“We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory form God the father when the voice came to him from the majestic glory, saying,” this is my son, whom I love: with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that comes from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
And we have the word of the prophets make more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the morning star rises in your hearts. Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” 2Peter 1:16-21


7) Is a Kingdom; one kingdom is in God’s light, the other is in darkness.
“..giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,” Colossians 1:12-13

“The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and his kingdom was plunged into darkness. Men gnawed their tongues in agony”
Revelation 16:10

“These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them.” 2 Peter 2:17

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

“For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14

8) It makes us aware (awake to) of God’s plan of salvation
“for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, ‘peace and safety’ destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So, then let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and hope of salvation as a helmet.” 1Thessalonians 5: 2-8

“So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark speak in the daylight: what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.” Matthew 10:26-27

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2Corinthians 4:4

“I (Jesus)will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' Acts 26: 17-18

“Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.” John 12: 35-36

9) Those who belong to the light:
-Are self controlled -1Thessalonians 5: 2-8
-have faith
-have love
-have hope in salvation
-love
-do good Ephesians 5:9
“[ Walking in the light ] 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 in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.”
-Gives fruit of goodness, righteousness, and truth –Ephesians 5
-have a guide to life and a God who will show them the next steps in their lives
-can see God working in their lives
-acclaim God
-are purified from sin through Christ 1John 1:5
-live by truth
-understand light John 1: 5
-are able to walk before God Psalm 56
-pay attention to the word of God
-are on the road to abundant life
-are exposed to the glory of God in the life of Christ 2Cor
-are heading toward God
-will live in the new Jerusalem
-find out what pleases the LORD Ephesians 5
-expose the fruitless deeds of darkness
-are know fully by God (aren’t we all? but those in the light know it and are not afraid to be there?) Psalm 90
-will receive praise from God 1Corinthians4
-are lights Ephesians 5, Matthew 5
-give to the hungry
-aide the oppressed
-do things without complaining or arguing
-become blameless and pure
-hold out the word of life to others Philippians 2
-are not separated from the life of God
-have committed their way of life to the LORD Psalm 37
are members of the kingdom of light
-have been rescued from the kingdom of darkness
-are released from the power of Satan and in God’s power Acts 26-






10) Light is invisible until it hits something
Bible commentary—“By itself, light is invisible; and yet everything is invisible until light strikes it. So it is with God; We can’t see him, but ‘in his light’ (under his loving influence) we see and understand his love in all that surrounds us.” (and is in us)

“Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse; for though they knew God, they did not honor him as God, or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools; and they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling a mortal human being or birds or four footed animals or reptiles.
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the degrading of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”
Romans 1:20-25

“God…who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.” 1Timothy 6:16

(We’re not flash lights who shine only on the person looking at us, we shed light on all that is around us.)


Light can either be looked at itself, like a lantern or it can allow us to look at everything else.

There seems to be a light from God that gives us knowledge of life and how to live. When we live in the light we become ‘sons of the light’ and are able to shine ourselves when we do good works and point to God.
You are the Sun---Sarah Groves
Lump Nooma

Questions
Can someone love and not be in the light?
Can someone be in the light and not love God?
How does knowing any of this change the way we live our lives?
Does it show the importance of knowing God?
How does it feel to know that we are fully known by God?