How Clearly Can We See and Relate to the “Light of Life?”
May 17, 2020
God's presence, Light of LifeMany of us wonder about the reality of God and His presence here in this natural world. Among many descriptions, God is referred to as the Eternal One who appears to be beyond relatability: “Without beginning or end (a), all-powerful (b), all knowing (c), always present (d), and invisible to the natural eye (e).” [See end notes for Scriptures].
How can we interact with One, “Who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see” (f)? The Apostle John adds an emotional component to His essence; “the Spirit of Light and Love” (g). Is it possible to clearly see and relate to this Light of Life?
Absolutely! We really can see the Eternal One’s involvement in our lives and know Him as the light of our life (h). In order to comprehend ‘God Light,’ we must be flexible enough to reason beyond natural perceptions. If we observe the similarities of natural light with God Light we will begin to understand more clearly.
Visible AND Invisible Realities
All light is one of three parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. What we see is only one part of the equation. As with any three-in-one, individual parts are not a fullness of the complete whole, nor can the whole be adequately understood without each part.
We can better understand God Light by identifying the three features of natural light:
1) The source of natural light is the unapproachable sun.
2) The activity of the sun creates invisible waves of energy we cannot see.
3) The motion of the sun received by the earth helps create and sustain visible life.
Thus, we can descriptively say light includes; what is beyond us, expressive motion, with visible effects. The Light of Life is described in like fashion as an unapproachable essence, invisible motion, and divine attributes (i).
From the beginning of time, God’s ‘invisibility’ is observed by viewing the natural creation (i). As nature receives varying amounts of light, so God’s offspring partake of God Light in degrees. Just as natural light and rain fall upon the righteous and unrighteous, so God Light and Love is experienced by everyone, in degrees (j).
God Light and Love is experienced by everyone, in degrees.
God Light Characteristics
All three aspects of God Light must be taken into account in order to understand God. He is revealed to us in three ways; as an adoring Father, a Divine Presence with us, and our visible example Jesus Christ. The visible benefits of God Light are seen in the life and words of Jesus (k).
For God…is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10)
…to shine upon those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death (Luke 1:79)
Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)
What was from the beginning…we have heard…seen with our eyes…looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life (1 John 1:1).
God Light, with its renewing benefits, is experienced by everyone, even those who do not take notice. However, all who seek to dwell in Light become partakers of more light. Our immaturity makes it obvious; we all need the fresh renewing of God Light. Are we tapping into this reality?
All who seek to dwell in Light become partakers of more light.
Light of Life in Darkness
The motion of sunlight is so influential; it penetrates and overcomes darkness. Light is known to cause night to disappear, heal diseases, destroy viruses, and cleanse impurities. Darkness does not exist as a power; it is just evidence of the lack of light. Degrees of darkness, evil, despair, and sinful ways disappear as we see, partake of, and transform into better reflections of the Light of Life.
While, God is Light and in Him there is no darkness at all (l), His light can be recognized in shades of darkness (m). The account of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments makes it clear that God can be seen in degrees of haziness, even grays (n). In those situations, we want to encourage the immature rather than push them away.
Scripture provides evidence that all darkness will be exposed by penetrating Light. Even the evil generated in life by an obstinate refusal of God Light and Love will eventually be eliminated (o), either in this life or the next. There is no level of darkness that God Light cannot brighten.
Evil, despair, and sinful ways disappear as we see and partake of the Light of Life.
Receiving and Expressing Light
Although the source of God Light is unapproachable by natural beings, we can sense, feel and receive the motion of His Spirit and insightful words as a supernatural presence with us. The words and actions of Jesus Christ best reflect and resemble God Light because he received and displayed our heavenly Father’s insight (p).
Scripture encourages: “You are all sons of light and sons of the day, so then let us not sleep” (q); we are to “Awake and arise from the dead (inactivity)” and “Christ will shine on you” (r); so “Arise and shine for your Light has come” (s); believe in the light…become sons of light (w) , and “appear as lights in the world” (t).
Thus, as sons of Light, we receive God Light and become better reflections as the visible body of Christ in the earth (u). Our God Light experiences help us be expressions of Light. As our experience with God gets more personal, we arise and flourish beyond our current levels of immaturity.
“You are the light of the world…Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see…and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Mathew 5:14, 16).
Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars (Daniel 12:3).
Are you in a dark place or sense you are in a challenging season? Rest assured; the Light of Life is always present and desires us to clearly see and relate to Him in each new day! Rather than focusing on each other’s lack of Light, let’s focus more on the Light that shines even in imperfect people. May we be instrumental in letting God Light “shine brighter and brighter until full day” (v).
Our God Light experiences help us be expressions of Light.
a) 1Timothy 1:17; 6:16; b) Job 11:7; Jeremiah 32:17; c) Psalm 139:1-4; d) Psalm 139:7; e) 2 Corinthians 4:18; f) 1 Timothy 6:16; g) 1 John 1:1-5; 4:8-10; h) John 1:6; 8:12; i) Romans 1:20; j) Matthew 5:45-47; k) John 1:7; l) 1 John 1:5; m) 1 Kings 8:12; 2 Samuel 22:10-12; Psalms 18:9-11; n) Exodus 20:21; Deuteronomy 4:11, 5:23; o) John 3:20; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 15:26; Revelations 20:14; p) Colossians 1:15; q) 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11; r) Ephesians 5:8-14; s) Isaiah 60:1-3; t) Philippians 2:15; u) 1 Corinthians 12:12, 27; Romans 12:5; Ephesians 4:12; v) Proverbs 4:18; w) John 12:36
Keith Carroll, “The Relationship Guy”
Relational Gospel Founder
Created To Relate author
http://bit.ly/KeithCarrollBooksAmazon