John 1:5 - “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
We live in a world filled with crime, abuse, and people who do evil things for no reason. Many times we have heard it said that “we live in a dark world.” To be in darkness, at its core, means to be in a place without light.
Why is the world such a dark place anyway? Because of sin. Many years ago sin entered the world through disobedience, and it has been causing havoc in the world ever since. But God, in His mercy, sent Light into the world to dispel the darkness. This Light came in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ. Because of Him, we no longer have to be afraid of the dark. Jesus conquers the darkness. Like a child who has a night light, Jesus brings us comfort and security in the midst of uncertainty and trouble.
Light comes from the sun, fire, electricity through bulbs and so on. And this kind of light really helps us in the physical. It helps us to see, it helps to keep us warm, and it helps us to grow. How does that translate to our spiritual lives?
1 - Light helps us to see.
Without light, we bump into things, because we can’t see. God saw that sin brought darkness, and that the people of this world are blinded by it. Jesus Christ, the Light of this world, helps us to see. When we are able to see, then we are able to accomplish the things that we need to get done, as well as avoid danger. We have sight because of Jesus Christ, our Light.
2 - Light keeps us warm.
Where there is darkness, it means that there is no light. Where there is no light, there is no heat. Without heat, we are left cold. Imagine being outside on a freezing winter night without anything to shield you from the cold. That’s what life is like without Christ; dark and cold. But God welcomes us with arms wide open. He sent us the Light of the world, Jesus, so that we are kept safe and warm.
3 - Light helps us to grow.
Light is extremely important in helping plants grow through photosynthesis. In the same way, Christ as our Light, enables us to grow. Without Him, we are stagnant and stuck, and left without any meaning in this life. Jesus makes this clear in John 15:5. It is IN Christ that we have all that we need to grow.
John 15:5, ““I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” It is IN Christ that we have all that we need to grow.
But how do we access this Light?
Romans 10:9-10 tells us how. It says, “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
It is only in Christ that we make direct contact with the Light. When we do, we can let His light shine both in our lives, and in the lives of those around us.