Christ: God's Splendor

“Now the message that we have heard from his Son and announce is this: God is light, and there is no darkness at all in him. If, then, we say that we have fellowship with him, yet at the same time live in the darkness, we are lying both in our words and in our actions. But if we live in the light—just as he is in the light—then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin” (1 John 1:5-7, The Good News Translation).

God is not only in the light. He Himself is light.

He is not just an ordinary kind of light. He is a “great light” (Isa. 9:2; Matt. 4:16) – the true light (John 1:9; 1 John 2:8) – the light of life (John 8:12). His is a marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). And He is “dwelling in light unapproachable” (1 Timothy 6:16, American Standard Version).

If we do not know where to go – if we do not know what to do in our life – this light will enlighten us to have the right direction. David said, “Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path” (Ps. 119:105, GNT).

Because of this light, we can also go through the darkness – difficulties or trials in life – with confidence in our heart. David also declared, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; I will fear no one. The LORD protects me from all danger; I will never be afraid” (Ps. 27:1, GNT).

Because of this light, we can really perceive the motive of our action and realize God is actually working through us. We read in John 3:21, “But everyone who lives by the truth will come to the light, because they want others to know that God is really the one doing what they do” (The Contemporary English version).

Because of this light, we are able to know, to behold, or to appreciate the goodness or excellence of God. Paul wrote, “The God who said, ‘Out of darkness the light shall shine!’ is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6, GNT).

How can we encounter this light?

We can experience this marvelous light through Jesus Christ.

He said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). He is the “Sun of Righteousness” (Malachi 4:2, ASV). We also read in John 1:4-5, “The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out” (GNT). He is God’s Splendor. Through Him, we see and experience the brilliance of the Goodness of God!

There are those who are teaching that Jesus never claimed to be God. Don’t forget 1 John 1:5 wherein we read, “God is light…” Thus, when Jesus said “I am the light…,” He was just like saying, “I am God…”

What will happen to those who believe in Him, as “the light”?

We read the first part of John 12:36, “While ye have the light, believe on the light, that ye may become sons of light” (ASV). They become “sons of light.” Or, as we read in the first chapter of John, “This was the real light—the light that comes into the world and shines on all people. The Word was in the world, and though God made the world through him, yet the world did not recognize him. He came to his own country, but his own people did not receive him. Some, however, did receive him and believed in him; so he gave them the right to become God’s children” (verses 9-12, GNT) – they “become God’s children.”

Peter articulated it in these words:

“Come to the Lord (“But those who do what is true come to the light …” --John 3:21), the living stone rejected by people as worthless but chosen by God as valuable. Come as living stones, and let yourselves be used in building the spiritual temple, where you will serve as holy priests to offer spiritual and acceptable sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ. For the scripture says, ‘I chose a valuable stone, which I am placing as the cornerstone in Zion; and whoever believes in him will never be disappointed.’ This stone is of great value for you that believe; but for those who do not believe: ‘The stone which the builders rejected as worthless turned out to be the most important of all.’…But you are the chosen race, the King’s priests, the holy nation, God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:4-7, 9, GNT).