LIVE AS LIGHT

“While you have the light, BELIEVE IN THE LIGHT, that you may become SONS of LIGHT” – John 12:36a

Residing in this dark world, it takes believing in the Light to LIVE AS LIGHT: “While you have the light, BELIEVE IN THE LIGHT, that you may become SONS of LIGHT” (Jh.12:36a). These were Jesus’ words prior to the cross. Now, with Redemption in retrospect, we who believe can WALK and LIVE as sons of LIGHT. The New International Version translation of Ephesians 5:8 substitutes the word ‘walk’ with ‘live’: “LIVE as CHILDREN of LIGHT.” There are two key figurative uses of ‘Light’ in Scriptures. Mentally or intellectually, light represents TRUTH (including its revelation, knowledge, wisdom and understanding); while morally light represents HOLINESS and righteousness. To live as light therefore means to live in Truth and in Holiness.

Darkness also has two meanings: Mentally, it denotes ignorance and falsehood, while morally it signifies sin and evil. The Psalmist declared: “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psa.119:105). This means: “Your Word is my guiding Truth.” However, in Romans 13:12, “light” refers to moral deeds and “darkness” to immoral deeds: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the WORKS of DARKNESS, and let us put on the ARMOR of LIGHT.” In Isaiah 5:20, light and darkness refer to both the mental and the moral: “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” The two cannot cohabit!

We become children of light when we have been transformed mentally and morally – in terms of knowledge and deeds. Here are four truths to enhance our living as light or living in the light.

Truth 1: Light is our Nature – “For you were once darkness, but now YOU ARE LIGHT IN THE LORD” (Eph.5:18a). Darkness was our character prior to coming to Christ, but Redemption brings transformation: “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the DIVINE NATURE…” (2Pet.1:4a). Light is the character of our Father: He is our “Light” and “Salvation” (Psa.27:1). And we have His nature!

Truth 2: Light Enlightens – “For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light” (Psa.36:9). We see light in God’s Light. We receive the impartation of enlightenment in the knowledge of God; whereas the world is darkened regarding knowing God: “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened” (Rom.1:21). With darkened minds, they profess to be wise when they are really fools. They deny the living God by worshiping false gods or denying His existence: “The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God” (Psa.14:1a). The world wallows in the darkness of ignorance; but Believers know the Light!  

Truth 3: Light Illuminates – “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (Jh.8:22a). It is contrary for the unbelievers: “whose minds the god of this age has BLINDED, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2Cor.4:4). Light gives sight; darkness blinds. The world is blinded to Gospel light: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, lest they should see with their eyes, lest they should understand with their hearts…” (vv.40). To believers, the message of the cross is the power and wisdom of God (1Cor.1:18). His Word is our constant meditation, joy and daily bread (Psa.1:2; 119:24; Mt.4:4).

Truth 4: Light Manifests Righteousness – “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Rom.13:12). We live as light as we cast aside the deeds of darkness, are clothed with Christ, practise the character of righteousness, and manifest absolute obedience to God (1Jh.3:10).