THE COMMAND OF LIGHT (2)

“For it is the God who COMMANDED LIGHT to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts...” – 2 Corinthians 4:6a

As it was for creation, the COMMAND of LIGHT came into operation for Redemption: “For it is the GOD who COMMANDED LIGHT to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the LIGHT of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Cor.4:6). Light possesses a vital purpose in God’s Grand Agenda, as evident in Genesis 1:3: To shine out of darkness. When Jesus Christ came into the world, this ultimate purpose became fully revealed, beyond the natural functions of light: To defeat, dispel, and overcome darkness.

Paul the apostle, wrote to Christians in Corinth, who were being influenced by the surrounding pagan culture, instead of being the Influencers. Modern-day Christianity is not too far off from the Corinth experience. We are in a broken world in which the enemy has come to steal, kill and destroy (Jh.10:10a). Therefore, the message to Corinth still applies to Believers today. Paul explained that, by “this treasure in earthen vessels,” we are to proclaim the Light – Jesus Christ, Who enables us to see and know the Glory of God – in the darkness of a broken world!

In verse 4 it is written, that the minds of sinners and unbelievers are blinded – darkened or made dark – by Satan, but the Gospel of Jesus brings in Light, which delivers from the bondage that accompanies darkness and ushers them into the freedom and liberty associated with Light. The essence of the sixth verse is that it is the same God Who commanded light to shine out of darkness at the creation of the material world, that has beamed the light of the Gospel to shine in our dark, sin-stricken hearts: “For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ” (New Living Translation).

To acknowledge Jesus Christ – the Giver and Sustainer of life – is the greatest of all knowledge; and it comes from God Himself. Knowing Jesus Christ is the greatest single event that assures blessing for every soul; while, not knowing Him is the greatest single event of regret for every soul. The penitent thief on the cross received this blessing just before he took his last breath when Jesus said to him, “Today, you will be with Me in Paradise” (Lk.23:43b). He saw “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Battered and bruised, he saw his Saviour – The One who bore and took the wrath of God for his sins, to deliver him from the penalty of sin – eternal death!

Thank God! He still COMMANDS LIGHT to shine into darkened hearts to give the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ!