Light Notes

In the beginning, light was a significant theme (Gen 1:3). Light remains prominent throughout Scripture, even to the eternal light in the eternal city, being Christ Himself (Rev 22:5).

In the Exodus, God was the pillar of fire, guiding His people through their wilderness wandering. In the Temple, the menorah reminded God’s people that God was their light, having given them exclusive access to worship Him. The prophets foretold of the coming sun of righteousness (Mal 4:2) who would be the light of the world, by His own testimony (Jn 8:12).

The darkness of the human heart is all-pervasive (Gen 6:5; Jer 17:9; Rom 1:21). The people who dwell in darkness must have a great light shine upon them (Mt 4:16), even in them, “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Cor 4:6).”

Natural men love darkness because their deeds are evil (Jn 3:19), and he who walks in darkness does not know where he goes (Jn 12:35). Jesus incarnated (Jn 1:14), so that everyone who believes in Him will not remain in darkness (Jn 12:46). Nothing and no one in darkness pursues the light because darkness does not comprehend the light (Jn 1:5). Every morning, it is light that rises upon the darkness. Saul was not seeking for the Lord Jesus, when the enthroned, glorified One blinded him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), with a light brighter than the sun (Acts 26:13).

Religious men, like Saul, think they are the light, but Jesus and Paul help us to see they are merely blind guides (Mt 15:14; 23:16, 24; Rom 2:19). Light for Saul meant he must lay aside his deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light (Rom 13:12).

Light exposes darkness and the evil deeds of deceived hearts (Jer 17:9; Jn 3:21). People need more light, and when light comes (Ps 43:3), they must not run from the truth, revealed by the light (Eph 5:9). The motives of men’s hearts are no longer hidden when they come to light (1 Cor 4:5). There will be full exposure when Jesus Christ comes, to judge the living and the dead, on the last day of history (Acts 10:42; 2 Tim 4:1; 1 Pet 4:5).

Darkness within the human heart is exposed when the light of Christ shines in that dark place (Eph 5:11). Once light invades the darkness of the heart, the new believer has a new life to live (Rom 6:4). We, who believe what we see in the face of Christ, were formerly darkness, but now we are light in the Lord, therefore, we are to walk as children of light (Eph 5:8).

The child of light has a new struggle, not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against powers, against the world forces of this darkness, and against spiritual forces of wickedness, in the heavenly places (Eph 6:12). Sons of light, being sons of the day (1 Thess 5:4–5) anticipate, even preach the coming “Day” of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is Him, who called us out of darkness and into His marvelous light (1 Pet 2:9). Therefore, we proclaim His excellencies (1 Pet 2:9).

God is light and in Him there is no darkness (1 Jn 1:5). Those who walk in darkness cannot have fellowship with Him (1 Jn 1:6). The true light is already shining and darkness is passing away (1 Jn 2:8), and yet a dark day awaits the world in the future, when the light of truth will be suppressed in a profound way (Rom 1:18; 2 Thess 2).

Outer darkness awaits those who labored against the Lord Jesus, even as God did not spare the angels, when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment (2 Pet 2:4). Black darkness is reserved for false prophets and teachers, who serve the prince of darkness, who ever poses as an angel of light (2 Cor 11:14; 2 Pet 2:17; Jude 1:13).

The Christian rejoices and sings, “For You light my lamp; the Lord my God illumines my darkness (Ps 18:28). Indeed, “Light arises in the darkness for the upright; He is gracious and compassionate and righteous (Ps 112:4).”

The Light of knowledge, He has put into a book for us. It is the Word of God, the Bible, which ever serves as a lamp unto our feet and a light for our path (Ps 119:105). The Spirit of the Lord, who brought forth the Scriptures (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:20–21), is our Teacher of the very same Scriptures (Jn 14:26). He is our treasure in earthen vessels (2 Cor 4:7), the very life of Jesus, manifesting in our hearts (2 Cor 4:11). His presence, in glorious light, purifies our hearts, making us holy, by His grace (2 Tim 1:9).

Friend, can you see any of this light, shown to you, today. Every Christian in your life — past, present, and future will be a little light for you to see more of the truth, as it is in Jesus Christ. Our service to you is to be lights in the world (Phil 2:15), to help you see the spiritual realities revealed to us, on the pages of God’s Word, the Bible.

Christ lives in every born again soul (Gal 2:20), and together we share in the hope of glory (Col 1:27). This is the glory of God, who is our everlasting light (Is 60:19). Today, you have a light of revelation before you (Lk 2:32). It is God’s Spirit preaching God’s Word, so that you might, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you (Is 60:1).”

How many times have you been awakened by the morning sun? Each time this has occurred, serves as another illustration of your soul being awakened, by the dawn of God’s Son in your heart. He is shining. May He open your eyes and your heart to see Him, the very bright and morning star (Rev 22:16).

David Norczyk

Missoula, Montana

August 9, 2022