Light – Where would we be without it?

Have you ever stopped and thought about that question? When you walk into a room, the first thing you do is flip the switch to turn on the light. We are dependent on it being there when we need it. We are dependent on the electrical resources to provide us the power to turn on those lights when we need them; fossil fuel, solar panels, windmills, nuclear power, coal, batteries, and alternative fuels. We take those things for granted that we will always have access to power to provide us light when we need it. Since the time electricity was discovered, candle light and lanterns have become obsolete as a primary source of light. What if suddenly we were in a position to be dependent on those again?

We are also dependent on the sun coming up every morning to give us daylight, unless you live in Alaska, of course. Humans are dependent on light and assume it will always be there when they need it.

Solar panels were invented to get energy from the sun so that people could live off-grid and have free power, not dependent on others. What if there was no sun?

What if there wasn’t any power source when you needed it? Then what?

 

Then it was dark

All the resources we have come to depend on for light could be gone in a flash; according to scripture, even the sun will go dark when God commands. Every source we depend on are material man-made sources that could disappear like anything else.

Have you been in a storm where the lights went out? Maybe you have been in a black-out when there was rolling power outages due to a high demand for energy in a super hot summer. It’s a little unnerving, especially if it’s at night. Most people have flashlights or candles for backup, but those are man-made too and have a shelf life expiration.

Is it possible to find a source of light that is constant, always there when you need it?

 

Then there was light

There is only one source of light that never goes out, and, it’s NOT man-made. This is the only light source you can depend on to never go out. It is the true light; the original light! The eternal light!

What is it?

Jesus, the light of the world!

Wait a minute! Jesus didn’t come on the scene until the New Testament, the Second Testament in the Holy Bible. That can’t be right! Is it? Light existed before Jesus was born.

Great question! When does God first introduce us to His light? In Genesis 1:3 in God’s Holy Bible.  That same light God introduces in 1:3 is Jesus! Did you know that Jesus has been here since the very beginning of time? We have had the light of the world from the very beginning of time, way before Matthew 1 of the New Testament of the Bible, when we first learn that Jesus was born as flesh to save the human race from their sins.

When it comes to Jesus’ light, most people don’t want it unless they get in a bind and need it, then when they need it, they expect it to be available, just like the light switch. Many have taken Jesus and His light for granted. I’ve heard many stories over my lifetime where people have said when it comes to Jesus, they don’t need Him, they don’t want Him, they don’t believe in Him, or, I’ll call on Him later when I’m done living my life and having fun. That’s a risky game to play with your Messiah.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:1-5

Jesus’ light is the light of all mankind!

Those who invite Jesus into their hearts and live wholeheartedly for Him, obeying Him and following Him, are full of His light. Wholehearted Believers who are filled with His light experience His love, joy, and peace. Believers being filled with Jesus and the things that come with Him allow them to live in peace in this chaotic world. These very ones are on a mission to spread His love, and they allow God to use them at any cost to reach the lost and save them from a fate worse than death alone.

“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:9-13

He has been here all along but the world didn’t recognize Him. Only those who are His recognize Him. Which one are you? If you want to know Him and be filled with His light, you are in the right place.

 

The difference between man-made light & Jesus’ light

The world offers countless ways to find “fake” light. Fake light that does not come with love, peace, and joy; fake light that does not last. This fake light causes you to be on a constant chase to find the next source of fake light; always leaving you anxious, empty, and dark inside.

Examples of fake light: ‘works’ for God while not having a relationship with God, yoga, crystals, meditation, incense, mediums, sorcerers, drugs, alcohol, money, material things, worldly success, etc. These examples bring you temporary light and happiness; then, like the wind, they are gone and you are again seeking the next thing to fill the void inside of you.

Jesus light vs. fake light, is like the sun vs. a flashlight.
One is real light, the other isn’t.

 

God brings the darkness into the light

In the story of Job, we learn of a man that is full of God’s light and is blessed by God and loved by all. In his story, Satan tells God that the only reason Job loves God is because God blesses him. He believes Job’s light will go out and he will turn against God, if only God would allow him to suffer. God chooses to allow Satan to take everything away from Job except his life. God knew Job’s heart and knew he loved Him wholeheartedly; He knew Job would not turn from Him. As expected, Job, while troubled and in despair, he never turned away from God. He got upset and wanted answers from God, then we he got to talk to God, he realizes his error in questioning anything God does. God blesses him more than double after the test is over. Satan lost. God won.

In this story, we not only learn about Job’s faith and have an opportunity to let him be an example for us, we also learn more about our God, Adonai, our true source of light.

“He reveals the deep things of darkness and brings utter darkness into the light.” Job 12:22

Hope, how to find His light:
“If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored: If you remove wickedness far from your tent and assign your nuggets to the dust, your gold of Ophir to the rocks in the ravines, then the Almighty will be your gold, the choicest silver for you. Surely then you will find delight in the Almighty and will lift up your face to God. You will pray to him, and he will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows. What you decide on will be done, and light will shine on your ways.” Job 22:23-28

“There are those who rebel against the light, who do not know its ways or stay in its paths.” Job 24:13

“He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness.” Job 26:10

“God has delivered me from going down to the pit, and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.’ God does all these things to a person— twice, even three times—to turn them back from the pit, that the light of life may shine on them.” Job 33:28-30

Job’s faith is an example of hope to all. He teaches us to trust God no matter your circumstances.

 

What if there was no Jesus?

There would be no light in our souls. There would be no hope, no peace, no joy for anyone. That’s how it is for so many people in this world that don’t know Jesus; they are empty inside. Either they haven’t been introduced to Him, or they believe the lies that they are too sinful to be loved by Him. Many are like doubting Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, who wouldn’t believe He had risen from the grave until he put his finger in His nail scarred hand. True peace comes from believing in our Jesus that we cannot physically see, however, the beauty is we can feel His presence and we can see Him in all things, when we look through eyes of faith.

The benefits of walking in Jesus’ light:

• Is our Messiah that turns darkness into light. (Psalms 18:28)
• The one who gives joy to our heart and light to our eyes. (Psalms 19:8)
• Our light, salvation, and protection dispelling all fear. (Psalms 27:1)
• Our fountain of life who gives us light. (Psalms 36:9)
• Our light that leads us to Him. (Psalms 43:3)
• The one who keeps us from death and falling so that we can walk with Him in His light. (Psalms 56:13)
• Blesses us to learn to walk in the light of His presence. (Psalms 89:15)
• Brings our sins into the light to wash them away. (Psalms 90:8)
• His light shines on the righteous and gives pure joy. (Psalms 97:11)
• He wraps Himself in light as a garment and stretches out the heavens like a tent. (Psalms 104:2)
• He spreads out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night. (Psalms 105:39)
• Even in darkness His light shines on the upright; those who are gracious, compassionate, and righteous. With His light His followers have no fear for they trust in Him. (Psalms 112:1-8)
• His Word is a light for our feet and on our path to Him. (Psalms 119:105)
• His light makes it easier for us to understand His ways. (Psalms 119:130-135)
• With His light, His followers can see in the dark. (Psalms 139:11-18)
• He is the light in our eyes that brings His believers joy, and health to their bones. (Proverbs 15:30, 20:27)

This gives you a glimpse of His light of love. Does this give you hope now as you see how important His light is to His followers? It should be a relief to you and encourage you to follow His light. If you aren’t sure where to start, there will be helpful instructions at the end of this blog.

 

God warns the world

Throughout God’s Holy Word, He shares with us the beginning of time to the end of His story; the story of this world as we know it. He wants that none should perish but for all to spend eternity with Him.(2Peter 3:9) We are living in the end-times; it is time to take His warnings seriously and turn back to Him before it’s too late. The following scriptures will give you an idea of His warnings to us and why you need His light in you. In His love and mercy for us, He warns us. He doesn’t surprise us or sneak attack us, He has shared with us in His Holy Word what we need to know, what to expect and prepare. If you don’t enjoy the thought of studying the entire Bible cover to cover, please allow these scriptures to peak your interest to know the whole story.

“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.” Isaiah 5:20

“The Light of Israel will become a fire, their Holy One a flame; in a single day it will burn and consume his thorns and his briers.” Isaiah 10:17

“See, the day of the LORD is coming —a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger— to make the land desolate and destroy the sinners within it. The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light.” Isaiah 13:9-10

“Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles; To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, andthem that sit in darkness out of the prison house. I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.” Isaiah 42:5-9

“For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame.” Isaiah 42:14-17

“I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things.” Isaiah 45:7

“Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on their God.” Isaiah 50:10

In chapter 53 of Isaiah, God foretells us Jesus’ coming:
“Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. After he has suffered, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.” Isaiah 53:10-11

As for the wicked:
“The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace. So justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.” Isaiah 59:8-9

Alert! Ray of hope!
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” Isaiah 60:1-3

“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.” Isaiah 60:19

Warning:
“Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant, for the LORD has spoken. Give glory to the LORD your God before he brings the darkness, before your feet stumble on the darkening hills. You hope for light, but he will turn it to utter darkness and change it to deep gloom.” Jeremiah 13:15-16

“I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, the sound of millstones and the light of the lamp.” Jeremiah 25:10

 

What is the Day of the Lord?

We first learned about it above in Isaiah 13:9-10 verses. The Day of the Lord is not a day of joy; it’s actually a day of doom that comes down on those who chose to live life without Jesus’ light guiding them.

“Woe to you who long for the day of the LORD! Why do you long for the day of the LORD? That day will be darkness, not light. It will be as though a man fled from a lion only to meet a bear, as though he entered his house and rested his hand on the wall only to have a snake bite him. Will not the day of the LORD be darkness, not light— pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?” Amos 5:18-20

This would be the time to re-think doing life without Jesus.

 

Jesus encourages and teaches others about His light

After John the Baptist was put in prison, Jesus continued to teach more showing people His light as compared to darkness; explaining the benefits of His light. Before He dies for their sins, that no one saw coming, He showed them His light and salvation through His teachings; many understood and followed, but most were blinded to the truth and doubted Him.

“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.” From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:16-17

Jesus says:
“You are the light of the world. A town built 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” Matthew 6:22-23

“At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:25-30

 

Jesus warns of end-times and the loss of His light

“Immediately after the distress of those days “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ “Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” Matthew 24:29-31

Choices:
“This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people 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 their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” John 3:19-21

While there’s still time…
There’s still time to spread Jesus light and truth with others. It is our calling and our purpose, to spread God’s love.

“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

“As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5

“Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” John 11:9-10

“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. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going.” John 12:35

“Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them.” John 12:36

 

Will you believe?

“Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: “Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.” John 12:37-40

“Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” John 12:44-46

 

Why did God create you?

“For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'” Acts 13:47

“’Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’” Acts 26:16-18

“But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen—that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.” Acts 26:22-23

“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 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 13:11-12

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.” 1 Corinthians 3:11-13

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:2,5

“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 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 God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14

“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them.” Ephesians 5:6-7

 

In summary,

Our Heavenly Father has given us His Son to die for the atonement of our sins so that His light can flow through us giving us His joy and peace. With that gift, He wants us to share it with others. If you want to make sure your heart is right with Him and His light is flowing through you, let’s start here.

Don’t complicate the process for salvation. Keep it simple.

Do the ABC’s and repent today.

• A: Admit that you are a sinner. (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 64:6, Ephesians 2:8-9)

• B: Believe in your heart that Jesus is the son of God and that He died for your sins and rose from the dead for you. (John 3:16-18, 1Corinthians 15:1-4)

• C: Call on Jesus and repent of your sins and turn back to Him and ask Jesus to show you the way. (Romans 10:9-13, John 14:6)

 

May God bless you and keep you.

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