The Lodestar

Though John wrote this about Jesus Christ, the world’s light, it also illustrates a general principle that applies to Christian life.

Darkness does not exist independently; it is only the absence of light. Turn the lights in the room, and it is dark. Since darkness is the absence of light, it has no power over light. On the contrary, light vanishes darkness.

In the Bible, darkness is a powerful symbol. It represents all that is evil, wicked, and negative. It is the absence of light, which is good and pleasing. “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Darkness manifests in society as corruption, wickedness, violence, and hatred. It is a stark contrast to the light we are called to bring.

However, those who believe in Jesus Christ have moved from the domain of darkness to the light as Jesus declared that “whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness” (John 12:46).

Being in the light means opposing the darkness in this world. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Our victory in this engagement is not a distant hope but a present reality. It is possible when we, as followers of Christ, become lights that shine in the darkness, just as our Lord, Jesus Christ, has commanded us to let our light shine through our godly life and work. Let us rise to this call, shining our light before others so that they may see our good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:16).

As we carry the light of our Lord, who is the light of this world, we step into a world of corruption, violence, and hatred that darkness holds in custody. But we are not powerless. We are determined to play our part in transforming this gloom into light, shining brightly with the hope and power of Christ. Our godly life should shine in the darkness to subdue it and make the world shine with the light of Christ.