Articles
Life And Light
And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness… And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so. (Gen 1:2-4, 24).
Our youngest bible students learn about God’s creation and the order of all the things He created. They don’t realize it yet but these lessons involve some of the most profound thoughts and truths one can contemplate. For those of us who are older and numbering our days, it is good to reflect on these truths, strengthening our child-like faith.
We read that only after God declared “let there be light” did the living part of the creation commence. This makes sense to us because we understand there can be no life without light. Light did not produce life, but light enabled the life to come in its order. However the idea of life-enabling light took on a new and magnificent meaning when “ the fullness of time was come” (Galatians 4:4). Consider the ‘new light’ the New Testament sheds on the subject of Light and Life.
- The connection between spiritual light and life was known even before the creation:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:1-4)
- Prior to Christ, there was no light to enable spiritual life:
The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. (Isa 9:2, Matt 4:16)
- Jesus fulfilled the prophesy of Isaiah, testifying He is that Light:
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)
- We who were in darkness are now charged with bringing this life-enabling light to the world:
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (Eph 5:8). Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. (Matt 5:14)
In the beginning God rested from His work, yet due to sin His spiritual creation was not complete. But now the Great Light has at last appeared. For the short time we remain ‘under the sun’ it is our duty to reflect this enabling light so that others may live. Many of our acquaintances are yet in the shadow of death. And we understand there can be no life without light.
If we are faithful to the Lord’s charge, then after a while we will have “no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. (Rev 21:23)
