There is darkness in this world, it is the light that reveals that which is hidden by darkness. There are some things that are hidden in the physical, mental, and spiritual realms of life due to darkness that needs to be seen. It is the presence of the light that enables us to see (gives us vision) to walk in the path of righteousness and truth, guide our path in life, and glorify God in our lives.

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.””
‭‭John‬ ‭8:12‬ ‭NKJV

John:12NKJV

In the gospel John 8: 1-12, the teachers of the law and some of the Pharisees brought a woman who was caught in the act of adultery to Jesus Christ. As always wanting to test Jesus, they asked him what is his verdict for the woman as the law clearly states that a woman caught in the act of adultery should be stoned to death. Jesus without uttering a word started to write on the ground and followed it with this question “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” At this question, one after the other, they started to drop their stones and left the woman alone. They all left till it was only left with Jesus and the woman. Jesus Christ then looked to the people and declared to them that he is the light of the world and anyone who follows Him will not walk in darkness but have the light of life. 

This context clearly reveals how darkness affects us in our lives. The darkness has shielded the people’s conscience from acknowledging their own sins. Similarly, many people live lives of sin yet do not see anything wrong with it because of the darkness in the world. It is only Jesus Christ who can bring light in our lives to lead us to the truth and righteousness.

The Light of Jesus Christ reveals the path of truth and righteousness

The darkness in the world shields the conscience of persons who commit ungodly acts and creates a falsehood in their hearts and minds that their evil deeds are unseen by God. John 3:19 states, “

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
‭

‭John‬ ‭3:19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

The darkness blinds the hearts and minds of people and prevents them from seeing the truth of Jesus Christ. The darkness keeps people in bondage of hopelessness and destruction. But when Jesus Christ comes into the life of a person, He reveals the truth of God’s Word and empowers the person to walk in the truth and righteousness of God. The light of Christ liberates us to walk in freedom of God’s righteousness. The power of sin is broken over us when the light of Christ dawns on us. A sinner is transformed to a saint when he or she receives Jesus Christ the light of the world into their life. The path of righteousness and truth is made plain to the believer who has the light of life because their eyes and heart is able to see and perceive the things of God and forsake ungodliness.

The Light guides our path in life

Life presents us with choices all the time, it is the one who has the light of life that is able to see and chose rightly. Jesus Christ in the life of the believer exposes the deceptions, traps and plans of the enemy to the believer which enables the believer to chose the godly path and things of God. Without Jesus Christ as the light in our lives, we will make wrong choices and fall prey to the works of the darkness.

¹⁰⁵ Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105 NKJV

The Light reveals God’s glory through us

As Jesus Christ dwells in us, He shines His light through us which manifests God’s glory. A saved person lives a righteous and godly life which is enabled by the power of God that dwells in him or her. These righteous and godly acts manifests as light that shines in the world. The world sees the beauty of God through the righteousness of a believer, that is why Matthew 5:16 NKJV says

“¹⁶ Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Beloved in Christ without Jesus Christ as the light of the world, we all will dwell in darkness. We give praise and glory to God for our Lord Jesus Christ who is the light of the world, through Christ we obtain vision to see the truth and walk in God’s righteousness. May the Holy Spirit continue to strengthen and empower us to follow Jesus Christ the light of the world.