Light Is Obvious

This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.  So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.  But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. [I John 1.5-7]

What is the significance of John's statements here?  Of all that could be said about Jesus' teachings, John singles out this one thing: God is light.

The fact that God is light carries its significance in light's very characteristics and nature.  Light, as such, should not be viewed as the opposite of darkness as if the two were equal forces.  The two are not equal!  Even if they were, any time the two were compared side by side, light would ALWAYS overcome and dispel darkness.  The fact is, darkness is merely the absence of light.  Darkness' only strength comes from the absence of light.

Having said that, a room illuminated with a light is obvious.  Our lives, if indeed affected by the light of God, will be noticeably different as well.  If not, well then, there is no real light.  We may 'say' we have light, but the truth is obvious - even the smallest light shines bright in darkness: if our light is not seen, then it is no light at all.

Father, I want it to real in my life.  I want Your light to shine obviously in and through me.  Help me to be honest with myself as I evaluate whether or not light is truly present and obvious in me.