In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the water. And God said, ”Let there be light.” And there was light.
This is the amazing account of the beginning. The almighty power of God creating light. Not light as we might imagine- the vast solar systems and stars which would fill the billions of galaxies. Those would come later. This light was God’s removal of chaos and emptiness. Jesus, the Word with God at Creation, would become the Light of the world that the darkness could not extinguish.
During His ministry, Jesus explained, “I am the Light of the world.” Just as God divided the darkness at Creation, so Jesus is the Light that brings mankind from death into the gift of God’s grace. “For it is the God Who once said ‘Let light shine out of darkness’ Who has made His light shine in our hearts, the light of the knowledge of God’s glory shining in the face of Jesus.” (II Corinthians 4:6).
But to live in this light implies a heart-set of love. Jesus was once asked which was the most important commandment. His reply echoed scripture - to love the Lord God completely. But then He added, “and to love your neighbor as yourself.” Not another important commandment but one that was implied in the first. The message for us is simple. When we aim to live in the presence of God, when we intend to love Him with our mind and soul, we must also make room for love of others. In First John, the writer explains that if anyone claims to be “in the light” and does not love his brother, he is still in complete darkness.
Jesus’ teachings repeated a reciprocal theme – what we expect from God we must exhibit in our own lives to others – love, forgiveness, blessing. This is what it means to live in the light.
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