“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 Cor. 4:6).
Light is a strong, simple metaphor in the Bible. The first day of creation was the bringing in of physical light. The greatest spiritual light is God (cf. 1 John 1:5). Jesus is to mankind “the light of the world” (John 9:5). Whatever may be said of light and its effects is a reflection upon the truth of God. Consider three aspects concerning the principle of light that teach valuable lessons.
1. Enlightens. While the word “light” is a noun, the verb form “to light” may be easily translated “to enlighten.” Such a concept is found in the Bible. “The statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Ps. 19:8). “For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness” (Ps. 18:28). “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints” (Eph. 1:17-18). “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame” (Heb. 6:4-6). Being enlightened involves having the proper understanding of matters from the basis of God’s divine revelation. Here is an essential quality of spiritual light to bring life (cf. John 1:4).
2. Enables. Light not only provides understanding, but it also has practical power to enable man to function safely and efficiently. John wrote, “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). Again, “Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him” (John 11:9-10). John wrote in one of his letters, “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes” (1 John 2:9-11). Such describes the practical side of the principle of light.
3. Exposes. Light also exposes those things that men often seek to keep hidden. Paul wrote, “But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light” (Eph. 5:13). The English Standard Version translates this passage, “But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible” (Eph. 5:13, ESV). Jesus exposed the scribes and Pharisees for what they were (cf. John 15:22). Light truly discloses deeds that are less than they should be (cf. John 3:20). Evil is Biblically described as the “hidden things of darkness” (1 Cor. 4:5). Loving the light is loving life.
Jimmy Clark