Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Desiderius Erasmus
The Dark Can’t Overcome It
The apostle John wrote about Jesus, saying, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:4-5). John the Baptist “came to bear witness about the light” (John 1:8), and Jesus surely is the “true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world” (John 1:9). Also, since we know Jesus is God, the psalmist writes about Him, saying, “For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light” (Psalm 36:9).
Light Overcomes Darkness
Have you ever thought about this: You can walk into a store and buy a flashlight, but you can’t buy a flashdark. That’s because darkness can never overcome light. It is the other way around: Light always overcomes the darkness. “This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:5-7). If someone says they know God but still lives a sinful lifestyle, they are really still in darkness because “all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever does make manifest is light” (Ephesians 5:13).
Sent To Show the Light
Paul was told by Christ, “I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me’” (Acts 26:17b-18), but first “the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles” (Acts 26:23). People can’t see without light, and none can see God without His exposing God by the light. Without His Spirit, we are all groping around in the dark, as Jesus said, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19).
Conclusion
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt 5:14-16). But if you hide your light, how can they ever see the glorious light of Christ? Therefore, my brothers and sisters, let it shine as I must do.
