Digging Deeper: The Light and the Darkness
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.
John 3:19-21 (ESV)
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
John 1:9-12 (ESV)
THE LIGHT AND THE DARKNESS
On day one of creation, God spoke into being the light (day), and the darkness (night) (See Genesis 1). This Christmas season, we celebrate the coming of Jesus into the world. Jesus is called the “true light, which gives light to everyone” (John 1:9, ESV).
Yet many flee from the light, fearing what the light may reveal (John 3:20, ESV). Another reason people reject the light is pure selfishness. John MacArthur explains that people do not believe in Christ (the light) because, “They love their sin. They don’t want to come near Christ ’cause He shines a light on their sin, exposes their sin. Sinners love sin. It’s not ignorance. It’s not lacking the basic faculties of reason. It’s not misunderstanding. Sinners prefer moral darkness.”
Should we as believers in Jesus fear the light? We all have things about us that we do not wish to be subjected to the light of day. But we are loved by a God who sent his Son into a dark (and getting darker) world to shine a light into the darkness. This merciful, forgiving God knows all our hidden secrets, yet he chose to send his Son as the perfect sacrificial lamb, to offer an atonement for our sins. We should be drawn to the light, the light of truth, so that our good works can be clearly seen (John 3:21), and we will become children of God (John 1:12).
Phil Meade is a father of three, and grandfather of five. He has a Masters in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NorthStar Church. He recently retired after 33 years as a pilot for Delta Airlines.