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In the last two articles we talked about descriptive
phrases relating to Christians that we don't hear
very often, children
of promise and sons
of the resurrection.
In this article we want to talk about another
phrase we don't hear very often, sons of Light.
God is Light
God is Light because there is no sin in Him.
- "This is the message we have heard from Him
and announce to you, that God is Light,
and in Him there is no darkness at all"
(1 Jn. 1:5).
Therefore, everyone who has fellowship with
God is in the Light, having been cleansed with
the blood of Jesus.
- "If we say that we have fellowship with
Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie
and do not practice the truth; but if we walk
in the Light as He Himself is in the Light,
we have fellowship with one another, and the
blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all
sin (1 Jn. 1:6-7).
Jesus is the Light
Jesus came into the world as the Light.
- "In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God, and the Word
was God. He was in the beginning with God. All
things came into being through Him, and apart
from Him nothing came into being that has come
into being. In Him was life, and the
life was the Light of men" (Jn. 1:1-4).
Notice three components of John 1:1-4: Word,
life, and Light.
Because Jesus (the Son of God) is the Word,
life is in Him, and He is the Light of men. Therefore,
we are cleansed by His blood when we practice
the truth, and walk in the Light having fellowship
with God.
- "If we say that we have fellowship
with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie
and do not practice the truth; but if
we walk in the Light as He Himself is
in the Light, we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us
from all sin (1 Jn. 1:6-7).
And we are blessed to share in the inheritance
of the saints in Light.
- "Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified
us to share in the inheritance of the
saints in Light" (Col. 1:12).
Christians are Sons of Light
God calls all men to come out of darkness and
into His marvelous light.
- "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people for God's own possession,
so that you may proclaim the excellencies of
Him who has called you out of darkness into
His marvelous light" ( 1 Pet. 2:9).
Because we believed, we've been cleansed by
Jesus' blood and been made sons of Light.
- "'While you have the Light, believe in
the Light, so that you may become sons
of Light'" (Jn. 12:36).
- "Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying,
'I am the Light of the world; he who
follows Me will not walk in the darkness,
but will have the Light of life'" (Jn.
8:12).
- "Therefore do not be partakers with them;
for you were formerly darkness, but now you
are Light in the Lord; walk as children
of Light" (Eph. 5:7-8).
- "But you, brethren, are not in darkness,
that the day would overtake you like a thief;
for you are all sons of light and sons of
day . . . (1 Th. 5:4-5).
As sons of Light, we put aside the deeds of
darkness and put on the armor of light. We have
a protective spiritual shield, with which we fight
spiritual battles (Eph. 6:10-18).
- "The night is almost gone, and the day is
near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds
of darkness and put on the armor of light"
(Rom. 13:12).
Christians are Enlightened
Many in the world seek enlightenment, but only
Christians obtain true spiritual enlightenment.
Enlightenment (en·light·en·ment)
is in the Light, not darkness.
The Light (Jesus) came into the world, but darkness
did not comprehend the Light.
- "The Light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness did not comprehend it"
(Jn. 1:5).
Though darkness doesn't comprehend the Light,
Jesus enlightens every person who believes in
Him and thus renders obedience to Him.
- "There was the true Light which, coming
into the world, enlightens every man. He
was in the world, and the world was made through
Him, and the world did not know Him"
(Jn. 1:8-9).
So Jesus' gospel is light, because it leads
us to the Light.
- "And even if our gospel is veiled,
it is veiled to those who are perishing,
in whose case the god of this world has blinded
the minds of the unbelieving so that they might
not see the light of the gospel of the glory
of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Cor.
4:3-4).
- "For we do not preach ourselves but Christ
Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants
for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, Light shall
shine out of darkness,' is the One who has shone
in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Christ"
(2 Cor. 4:5-6).
Conclusion
As sons of Light, we are the light of the world,
showing people the path to heaven through the
example of our lives (Matt. 5:14-15).
As a result, men see our good works and glorify
God.
- "'Let your light shine before men
in such a way that they may see your good
works, and glorify your Father who
is in heaven'" (Matt. 5:16).
What better life can anyone have than to bring
glory to God, and lead people to the Light.
Indeed, this is your life as a faithful Christian,
because you're a son of Light.
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