When we experience difficult times some people tend to question the reality of God’s existence. We are birthed into this life to develop into levels of maturity, both naturally and spiritually. As wandering offspring and responsive children of God, troubling times in this world are part of our maturing process.
Scripture states “God is Light.” (a) [see endnotes for Scriptures] While the Eternal One’s essence is Light, His expressions are the insightful light of our life. As the sun is an enabling source of natural life, God-Light inspires and supports our spiritual life. So, when is God-Light clearly visible?
Light and Darkness
When we compare natural light to the light of God we begin to see how God-Light is observed.
In the early days of space exploration one of the Russian cosmonauts returned from space and stated: “I’ve been there, done that and I didn’t see God – therefore there is no God.” Rather than prove there is no God, he confirmed the limitations of our natural sight. Just because God was not seen does not mean He is absent or does not exist.
The presence of God is everywhere, just invisible to our natural eye. Experience has taught us that it is very dark in outer space. We also know that outer space is full of light traveling from stars in all directions. No one can see the abundance of light in space because the motion of light cannot be seen by natural sight. The existence of light is only revealed when it is reflected off a natural object.
Science has established that light passes any object, in either direction, at a relative speed of 186,000 MPH. This means that if we could build a spaceship that could travel through space at 185,900 MPH and it was on a parallel course with light traveling in the same direction, the speed of light would still be 186,000 miles per hour faster than we are traveling! The motion of light is beyond our ability to see.
As with natural light, the motion of God cannot be seen by human eyes. “Who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, which no one has seen or can see.” (b) God’s motion is in all creation for “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (c) We can only see His reflections.
Additionally, Scripture tells us “God is Light and in Him there is no darkness.” (d) There are aspects of God in everything He creates. While there is no darkness in God, the darkness of this natural realm does not escape Him. (e) The account of Moses receiving the Ten Commandments also points out that God moves in the darkness of creation. (f) The creative motion of the Creator is in the created darkness.
There are aspects of God in everything He creates.
Understanding Natural Light
The natural environment is confined by the restrictions of space. All nature functions within the created realm of space, time, and matter. Objects are measured by three dimensions: length, width, and height.
Natural light also has a unique three-part nature with a source, movement, and visibility. We can understand light better when we consider the sun as its source, the expelling waves and packets of energy as its penetrating motion, and its material reflection in this atmosphere makes light visible.
To see God-Light we must be flexible in 
how we perceive and reason. God has no beginning or ending, is ever present, is all-powerful, and is always mindful. While the created realm does not constrain or limit God, it provides visible reflections of God-Light. We know that God exists because we can see the visible reflections of His multiple expressions in this natural world. Nature itself even glorifies God. (g)
Scripture describes God as having the same three fundamental aspects as natural light. The Apostle John identified the three core or central aspects of God’s essence as “Spirit (eternal source), Light (expressive motion), and Love (received effect).” (h) As with any three-in-one equation, neither represents the whole.
We commonly consider a person and their spoken expression to be as one. We should also consider God and His word (spoken expression) to be as one: “In the beginning was the Word (Greek-logos spoken expression), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…and the Word became flesh.” (i)
When God speaks, His spoken expression is a motion that goes forth to create an effect that can become visible to the natural eye. His spoken expression became visible in the life and words of Jesus Christ. He even said: “He who has seen Me, has seen the Father.” (j) God-Light is most visible in the life of Jesus.
We can better understand God by recognizing His expressive personalities. God is our creative Father, the invisible action of the Holy Spirit, and is seen in the visible reflection of Jesus Christ. Each expressive personality of the Eternal One should be considered in order to view God in a most enlightening way.
While we may relate to just one or two of God’s expressions, we want to understand each expression is one feature of the Eternal One. To more fully comprehend the reality of God, each of His expressions should be viewed as His relatable characteristic, attitude, and personality (CAP), not as three persons.
God has no beginning or ending, is ever present, is all-powerful, and is always mindful.
Light of the World
We need to remember that as humans, we can only see reflections of light. This is true of the Eternal One. While the Holy Spirit is the unseen motion of God-Light, Jesus Christ is the most exact view of God-Light in a human life. Jesus brings into visibility the three personalities of God as our source, a life-giving motion, and as our visible example.
Just as the sun hardens clay and melts butter, everyone responds to the motion of the Spirit of God in different ways. We can ignore God or even fight Him, occasionally respond to His guiding presence, be emotionally stirred, or respond as adoring children who are becoming better reflectors of God-Light. (k)
We see the evidence of light and understand many of its characteristics by observing the color variances of the material substances that absorb and reflect the light. As natural light reveals different colors, everyone reflects God-Light in dissimilar ways. As everyone receives rain and sunshine, we all receive and reflect aspects of God-Love and God-light, even those who do not admit or take notice of His existence. (l) Can anyone really hide from Him or escape the ever-present Spirit of God?
Jesus Christ is the reflection of the Spirit of God that makes God-Light most visible. Scripture calls Jesus Christ the “light of the world.” (m) As God’s example, Jesus provided the most exact reflection and resemblance (image and likeness) of God-Light that everyone can relate to. (n) The visible life and words of Jesus makes it possible for us to better comprehend God-Light and to see more clearly.
The Holy Spirit is the motion and energetic flow of God’s essence that is all around us, similar to the waves and flow of natural light that we cannot see. As the sun creates the motion that is observed on earth as light, the expressive action of God’s Spirit produces the felt presence of God in our lives. Scripture tells us God’s presence is with us, among us, and in our midst. (o)
Jesus declared to his followers: “You are the light of the world.” (p) So, how well are we functioning as the visible “Body of Christ” in the earth? (q) Are we appropriately responding to the Eternal One and to His various expressions? Are we reflecting God-Light into our families, communities, and nations?
Jesus Christ is the reflection of the Spirit of God that makes God-Light most visible.
a) 1 John 1:5; b) 1 Timothy 6:16 NIV; c) Colossians 1:17; Acts 17:28; Psalms 139:7-8; d) 1 John 1:5; John 8:12; e) Psalm 18:9-11; 2 Samuel 22:10-12; f) Deuteronomy 5:23; g) Romans 1:20; Psalms 19:1; h) John 4:24; 1 John 1:5; 4:8) i) John 1:1-3, 10; Acts 17:22-25; j) John 14:9; k) Matthew 5:15; 1 Corinthians 13:11-12; 2 Corinthians 3:18; l) Matthew 5:45; m) John 8:12; 9:4-5; n) Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3; o) Romans 1:20; p) Matthew 5:14-16; q) 1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:5
Keith Carroll, “The Relationship Guy”
Relational Gospel Founder
Created To Relate author