John 1:4-5 LIFE AND LIGHT Our living Lord is the Source of life, not only the Possessor of life. It is true He is, was and always will be "The Life" in Himself. He also is the Provider of life in all its aspects - physical and spiritual. The principle of life is hidden in the most minute seed lying dormant in the ground. The egg of the smallest insect has that principle hidden in it, that "The Life" has made to show itself in a pre-ordained pattern. Even hidden in material around us whether fruit, plants - all living things, there is that life from Him that can be transferred to us in the food we eat, and in particular, the water we drink. Everywhere we look there is evidence of that life that defies human description and avoids human duplication even though some intelligent people spend a lifetime trying to do what only God can do. That life is everywhere, seemingly limitless and human beings are aware of it. In climbing high mountains, they carry life sustaining food and air to survive. When men go into the depths of the sea, they need to carry that life with them to sustain them while they marvel at the variety of life that surrounds them. That life is adapted by "The Life" who placed those sea creatures to live there where man cannot live. Life is everywhere around us on earth. But it is not in space. It sustains us here - but more importantly, it is there to give us light.
Man, created in the image of God, is distinguished from other forms of life because with our minds we can grasp, though dimly, the fact of there being a Life-Source - God. With our emotions we are moved to marvel
- and hopefully, worship the Creator, not the creature. And with our will, we can submit to His divine sovereignty and find the reason for our life. When we find Him and put our faith in Him, we are then not only
able to worship Him - but we can serve Him, love Him, enjoy what He enjoys, share the blessings He has provided and live and walk in " the light as He is in the light." In that way we have fellowship with others who believe on Him and together we enjoy communion and fellowship with Him. The Lord Jesus Christ who is "The Life," is also "The Light" to provide us the understanding we need to live a full and abundant life. That light He provides, enables us to see our God by faith and live in His fellowship even though all around us is moral and spiritual darkness.
As that light shines from Him and on Him, and we are able to live in the blessings of it, we in turn reflect that light. Amazingly we are called by Him, "the light of the world." Obviously, this is not the same as the light that emanates from Him who is "The Light of the world," but it does encourage us to live as reflected light in the darkness that that cannot overcome (comprehend) the light. Consistent light has a remarkable impact on darkness. One small candle in a window can be seen hundreds of yards away in a dark night. The reflected light from one small lamp has guided men at sea for many years to avoid dangerous shore lines and lead them into safe harbors. When we walk in His light and follow His light, we may unknowingly shed some reflected light that brings blessings to others. Darkness does not extinguish light. It is the other way around.
There is a certain degree of light that has been placed in all men by God when He created us. We are wired up to know there is One who is greater than we are. God consciousness is in every person whether they will admit it or not. We are responsible to God according to the light we have. Some with little light, who reject that little light are still responsible to take the consequences of that rejection. Those who have received a lot of light and rejected it are far more responsible for rejecting what could have been theirs. "If that light that be in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness." May our reflected light glorify God and be a blessing to those we come in contact with.
Life in all its myriad forms has found its source in God. The Way, the Truth, the Life is Christ the Eternal Word. Plants, animals and all earth's living creatures - Each with singular and amazing unique features - Have a physical existence known by men, but unexplainable. We know their composition, but power to give life is unattainable. The fact of years, weeks - time measured by natural existence - We cannot control or determine by mere human persistence.
There is another form of life best known by its essence. We are conscious of its reality - or lack of its presence. Some call it "lifestyle," the way one chooses to pass time. The life of most people around is very different than mine. In every way life is considered, the Source of essence is the same. The One from whom life is given, "Jesus" is His given name. He is the Lord from heaven who came to give life and light. "The Life" is one part of His nature; as "The Light" He gives spiritual sight.
As "The Light " shines in the darkness, nothing at all can it extinguish. Pure, holy light by nature, is quite hard by man to distinguish. Through faith in "The Word" reveals both God and sin. The clarifying “shadowless” light means facing sin is where to begin. Death and darkness rush to flee away from light so exposing. Light leaves no place to hide, no room for arrogant posing. Powers of darkness cannot overcome the power of divine light. Walking in the light with Jesus makes hidden things shine bright.
"Gracious Father, the light of the revelation of Christ, and through Him sin being exposed and Thy holiness seen, changes life from mere existence to an essence that has quality. This has, and still does, brought much joy and meaning to the kind of life measured by time. Eternal life experienced daily is real to me. I am so grateful. Thanks, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."