God is light

This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us. (‭1 John‬ ‭1‬:‭5-10‬ NASB)

God is Light.

Light is another Name, another attribute of God Himself. Light, a complete contrast from something else. Light is not darkness. Light pierces the darkness. Darkness, no matter how dark, can do nothing to light. Even the smallest star holds weight against the darkness around it. 

Light cannot be overcome. It guides. It exposes. It reveals. It illumines. It blinds. It can be hidden.

We like the light because we can see. And like Jesus’ parables in Matthew 5, we make sure lamps are in their proper place to give light to the room. We like “mood” lighting too. We have light shows, and decorate our houses with them for holidays. A concert isn’t any good without a light show too. But John is using light in reference to our relationship with God and others.

John illudes to light being truth. If God has shown us the way, His Light has brought light to our path, we must practice the truth. 

I don’t like having my faults pointed out. I’d rather keep those hidden from everyone. I’d rather not even see them myself. But when light comes and exposes those dark things that remain in my heart, it becomes seen. I see it. They see it. So what are we going to do? What impact is Light going to have on my life?

Light has to have an impact on our lives before it can have impact in our lives, and then through our lives. When light comes into the room of my heart, do I retreat or bask in it? I know what it’s like to get up in the morning and turn on the bathroom lights, the brightest in our house. It takes a while before my eyes adjust. But I know I need to get them to adjust quickly. I have things to do, responsibilities to perform, and people I want to see (and food to eat). I can’t dwell in the darkness forever. It’s early. But I have to get up. I have to turn on the light. The rest of my friends and family and peers live in the light of day, so I must as well. I want to. 

So, how much impact does that Light of God have on our hearts? There’s an adjustment. There are things to do. It’s bright. And we’ve just spent time in the dark. Adjust…

Another thing I’ve noticed is the John ties light withing relationships with people in the church. There’s something about confession that brings cleansing. And I would even argue that true cleansing doesn’t come until we confess. Oh sure, God has forgiven you, but you haven’t forgiven yourself because you haven’t gotten it out. God wants to come and take up residence in your heart. And if our hearts have dark places in them, the Light tries to come into the room and expose what’s been hidden. We’ve beein tripping over that piece of “furniture” for a long time! Stubbing our toes…cursing it…trying to remember where it is so we can “walk” around it when we get near it again. But no matter how hard we try, we come realize that when the light comes into the room, it’s got to be removed. Now that we see it, it’s too heavy for us to move on our own. That’s where confession comes in. Sometimes we need some serious help moving this stuff out. We need some bigger muscle. 

And we can’t be so “big” in our heads that our hearts suffer from it. We can’t say we don’t have a problem. Or that we’re so used to it that it doesn’t bother us… That means you’re still living in darkness. If you can’t confess, you’re not being honest. If you’re not being honest, your not practicing the truth. And if you’re not practicing the truth, your walking in darkness. “No one needs to know about my problems.” I’ve been told that before. I’ve said that before. If the image you want to keep is that you’re perfect, remember, you’re supposed to be letting the light of Christ shine through you. The light of Christ shows us that we aren’t perfect, not that we are. The light of Jesus makes a difference in our lives so that we become that “open book” of an honest life, displaying the greatness of our God who’s liberated us from the large dark spots with painful object hidden within them. We don’t stub our toes on those things anymore because we confessed! We have strength now because we’re honest, they’re honest, and Jesus has honestly cleansed us!

I want His word in me! You and I struggle with the same thing. Are you a man? I struggle with it too. Whatever is coming to your mind right now, I’ve struggled with that. It’s time to walk in the light! To flip the switch of the God-light in our hearts to reveal the darkness that still dwells within. It begins with confession. It moves toward repentance. And I say that because we live differently when we’re in a lighted room than we do in a darkened room. Walk in the light!

No more excuses, guys. No more living in denial. Walk in the light if you want His truth in you. Walk in the light if you want to be cleansed from sin. Walk in the light if you want true fellowship with God and other God-followers. Walk in God. And He’ll be walking with you. You’ll find yourself in His constant presence. The truth is where God is. The light is where He dwells. In confession He helps. In honesty He cleanses.