Light
ATP Blog #18 Light
John 3:19-21
John the Baptist introduced Jesus Christ as The Light of the World, sent from God. Now Jesus Himself returns to that concept in His conversation with Nic the Pharisee. In one of the most familiar verses in the Bible, Jesus explains that God had sent Him into the world to save the world from the sin issue. God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world, reconciling mankind to Himself. Condemnation comes only to those who reject this gift offered to all, to those who do not believe in Jesus Christ.
Light is not our natural inclination. “...the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (v19) This reminds of the verse in Jeremiah (17:9) that reminds us that our hearts are wicked by nature, and require a complete transplant. Thankfully, God gives us this transplant when we believe in Jesus Christ, His Son. Light exposes truth, and is truth, therefore Jesus Christ is The Light. Our sinful nature does not want to get caught, and therefore loves the darkness where it can hide.
Light exposes our sins. Reconciliation with God only comes when we acknowledge our sins, and repent of them, seeking to change our ways. “Everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” (v20) Notice that those who practice evil (want to live against God’s standards on purpose) are the ones that hate the light, because they hate the truth, and do not want their sins exposed. Really, there are no such thing as atheists. People who claim to believe that there is no God, really believe that there is a God, but do not want Him to interfere with their lives. Just take notice of how so many fight against God and His ways! Why would you fight against something that you do not believe exists? Our job is to allow God to transplant our hearts, giving us a new nature, and purposefully seek the light, no matter how embarrassing it may be, allowing God to deal with our sin.
Light exposes our good works. “He who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (v21) If you want your good works to count for something, they must be done in love (1 Corinthians 13), and therefore ‘in God.’ Living for the truth is the opposite of living in the darkness, thus drawing us to the light, knowing what it exposes. A heart that is ‘born again’ loves the light, and the good works that person does are obedient acts that draw others to God and His light.
How do you feel about The Light? Jesus Christ is the light of the world. Are you uncomfortable with the light He sheds on your life, or are you drawn to the light? This is a good test for where your heart is at. An evil heart runs from the light, where a righteous heart seeks the light with great joy.
