The True Light Shines

John, the beloved disciple, wrote about the light the most of any other Biblical author.

Notice what John says —

In him [the WORD] 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 1:4-5 NIV

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. –John 3:19 NIV

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 3:21 NIV

Jesus 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 NIV

I have come into the world as a light so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. –John 12:46 NIV

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 NIV

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. –1 John 1:7 NIV

Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. –1 John 2:9-10 NIV

Do you see the progression?

God is light, and we walk in darkness until we accept His gift and the truth of the gospel. Then, when we walk in the light, we not only have fellowship with God but also with each other. His light shines on all of our relationships! The truth of the gospel insists that we love one another, and when we love one another, we walk in the light!

Lord God,
in the deepest night
there rises the star of morning,
    of birth,
        the herald of a new day you are making,
a day of great joy dawning
    in yet faint shafts
        of light and love.
I hear whispers of peace in the stillness,
fresh breezes of promise
    stirring,
winter sparrows
    chirping of life,
a baby’s cry
    of need
        and hope —
            Christmas!

In the darkness I see the light
    and find in it comfort,
         confidence,
            cause for celebration,

for the darkness cannot overcome it;
and I rejoice to nourish it
    in myself,
        in other people,
            in the world
for the sake of him
    in whom it was born
        and shines forever,
            even Jesus the Christ.

–Ted Loder, Guerrillas of Grace

There is coming a day when there will be NO darkness!

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