“THE WORD – LIGHT FOR REVEALING”

“Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105)

The first record of God speaking is: “Let there be light: and there was light” (Gen. 1:3). God is the Source of all things (Gen. 1:1); the Spirit of God is the energiser of all things (Gen. 1:2); and the Word of God is the revealer of all things (Gen. 1:3).

THE LIGHT INCARNATE

“For God, Who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2Cor. 4:6). Prior to this lovely verse, the apostle Paul had already rejoiced in the light of the Glorious Gospel of Christ. In this illuminating message, the Revealer of Divine glory is Christ Himself. The word “Light” in verse 6 is not the usual word. It means radiancy, illumination, shining forth, emphasising the ability to give light rather than the light itself. God allows light to penetrate. The true image of God has shined (past tense, at conversion) into the centre of our being, giving the full revelation of the Father in the Son. The “Face of Jesus Christ” is the unveiling of His Person and Presence. “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). He is the Author and Source of eternal life. This “life” which springs from Him, becomes our “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). Alas, “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19).

THE LIGHT ILLUMINATING

Light and darkness do not mix. “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1John 1:5-6). A ray of light shining through a window reveals dust and pollution in the air that otherwise may not be noticed. The light exposes every sin which needs to be erased. Physically, light represents Glory. Intellectually, light reveals Truth. Morally, light speaks of Holiness. “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1John 1:7).

THE LIGHT INSPIRED

“Walk as children of light: (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)” (Eph. 5:8-9). These qualities are revealed to us by the Holy Spirit through the Holy Scriptures, the inspired Word of God. “Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light” (Rom. 13:12). As we enter 2020 we pray that God Willing, we will hear God speaking through the Holy Scriptures in the teaching of the magazine, to preserve us individually and collectively in assembly testimony to be lights in a dark day, “Among whom ye shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15).

“The entrance of Thy Words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple” (Psalm 119:130).