Let There Be Light!

And God said, "Let there be light, and there was light." ~Genesis 1:3

God's redemptive nature shows itself in the very first act of creation when He said, "Let there be light." With those four simple words, He revealed His plan to overcome darkness with light, and evil with good. He began all of creation by bringing us light! (If you missed the first part of this study, you can find it HERE.)



It's easy to take this gift from creation for granted because we've grown so accustomed to light. But consider the impact of light upon our world. Light is fundamental to all life--plant, animal, human. Without light, the delicate operation of photosynthesis wouldn't take place. Carbon dioxide would clog the air, and oxygen that we need to survive couldn't be produced.



Light is necessary for sight (Ephesians 5:14). Without light, we have no sight. This applies to us both physically and spiritually. Each day on this planet is a struggle between light and dark, day and night, good and evil--both within us and outside us. So let's dig a little deeper into the topic of light as it is used throughout scripture.



A Symbol of Purity and Holiness

For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life. ~Proverbs 6:23

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. ~Romans 13:12

This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. ~1 John 1:5

"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." ~John 3:19-21

Spiritual Illumination

"...light is to reveal and to provide understanding and purity, while the opposite of light, or darkness, is designed to obscure, to deceive, and to harbor impurity." ~W.A. Criswell

For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. ~2Corinthians 4:6

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. ~Ephesians 5:11-14a

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. ~1 Peter 2:9

"...the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned." ~Matthew 4:16; Isaiah 42:7

God Is Our Light

The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? ~Psalm 27:1

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." ~John 8:12

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows. ~James 1:17

He wraps Himself in light as with a garment... ~Psalm 104:2a

The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world. ~John 1:9

Then Jesus told them, "You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light." ~John 12:35-36a

  A Heavenly State

The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow, will end. ~Isaiah 60:19-20

...giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. ~Colossians 1:12

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. ~ Revelation 21:23

 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. ~Revelation 22:5

We're Called To Be Light

Both the sun and the moon give off light, but the moon's light is different in the fact that it reflects the light of the sun. In like manner, we're to reflect the "light of the world," Jesus.

 You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. ~Matthew 5:14-16

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. ~Ephesians 5:8-10

  APPLICATION & QUESTIONS(Feel free to share your thoughts and answers in the comment section if you so desire.)

1. How is the creation of light redemptive?

2. Why is light important--both physically and spiritually?

3. What are the implications of a life without light?

4. Who is our light? 5. What is our calling as followers of Christ? 

6. How can we be light?

...God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and might forever. Amen ~1 Timothy 6:15b-16