"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." John 1:6-9. John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus. He is our witness to the fact that Jesus is the Light.
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." 1 John 1:5. God is light and has no darkness in Him.
"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." John 3:19-21. Evil works in the darkness, behind the scenes, because it is afraid of God. This explains why we continue to hide from God; He is in the light, and we cannot hide our evil deeds when we are in the light. He calls us to repent from our evil deeds and come into the light, to participate in building the Kingdom He is creating.
Once we know who the Word is, "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105, we learn from the psalmist that the coming Messiah, Jesus, will be a light to guide us to the path of life. "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." John 8:12. He will show us how to live the abundant life, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10, which can only be achieved when we live in alignment with the love used to create this world, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." 1 John 4:7-8.
God's laws are not like man's: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord." Isaiah 55:8. God's laws describe how His creation works. He then gives us the freedom to follow them, which leads to everyone flourishing, the abundant life. God's laws are guides. When we break them, we break ourselves upon the truth of how this world works. Man's laws are artificial and require enforcement or they will be ignored.
Jesus explains that following Him requires a new commandment, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." John 13:34. When we are in the light following Jesus, we will not feel shame or guilt. "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7. Living in a community that is in the light hastens our sanctification, as we sharpen each other, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16. Once we are light, Jesus calls us to shine that light so others will be drawn to God by His love.
"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." 2 Corinthians 4:6. Once we see the light, we are drawn to God by Jesus, who is the express image of the Father, "Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:" Colossians 1:15. Jesus is the visible part of God.
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." Mathew 5:14-15. God does not want us to hide our good works, nor does not want us to brag about them, for they are a gift from Him, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9. We are to live in this world as sojourners, travelers, or aliens. We live in this world but are not being conformed to it. Instead, we are being transformed into the image of Jesus, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2. But He wants us to be examples in this world of the love of God. We can't be bystanders. We must do the good works He calls us to do, "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:20. We are to do these good works even when it is difficult, even when our efforts are not recognized or appreciated. He wants us to do these good works even when we are ostracized, criticized, or punished for doing them. And, finally, He wants us to count it as joy, no matter what personal sacrifice we suffer for doing them, "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:3-5.
This is how we push back the darkness and replace it with His light. This is how we participate in the building of His kingdom.
God has placed us in unique places throughout this world. This blog is about sharing His Word; please share it with those you believe would be blessed by hearing it. Bless you! If you want to receive the weekly blog, email us at bill@reasoningwithgod.com. If you want to read past blogs, go to https://www.reasoningwithgod.com/blog.
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