Light and darkness are so much part of our lives that we take them for granted. Yet it is important to remember that both were created of God and, in a natural sense, designed for man’s blessing in this world. The Word of God reminds us of this, for we read, “I form the light, and create darkness” (Isa. 45:7). The cycle of light and darkness is necessary for the proper growth of plants, for the accommodation of both diurnal and nocturnal animals, and ultimately for the rest and well-being of man. We read, for example, “Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth” (Psa. 104:20). When God “divided the light from the darkness,” and thus established day and night, He also ordained light-bearers—“the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night” (Gen. 1:16).
With the advent of widespread electric lighting in much of the world, there are relatively few people who experience true darkness at night. Even in country areas, so-called “light pollution” often makes the night sky so bright that it is possible in some cases even to read by it. The use of artificial light has made it possible to perform many tasks at night, both indoors and outdoors—tasks that previously were possible only during daylight hours. However, during the greater part of the world’s history, day and night have been well-defined, and a moonless night was the almost total absence of light—hence the scriptural statement: “The night cometh when no man can work” (John 9:4). We know, of course, that the Lord Jesus was here speaking about moral darkness, but the statement was true naturally as well.
We are not told when darkness began to cover this world before the present creation, for the Spirit of God simply says, “The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep” (Gen. 1:2). Evidently there was some catastrophe prior to the existing creation that brought about a disordered state, and darkness was one of the results. But then God said, “Let there be light,” and He “called the light Day” (Gen. 1:3-4). Since then there have been both light and darkness in this world, and as we have seen, God has used both in a natural way.
Spiritual Light and Darkness
However, we are more concerned with light and darkness in a spiritual sense, for throughout the Word of God, the two words are consistently connected with good and evil, respectively. Perhaps we can look at a few ways in which this is portrayed in Scripture.
First of all, man’s fall brought in a love of darkness, for in his natural state he was now estranged from God. Thus we read, “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). Adam and Eve hid among the trees of the Garden of Eden after their sin, because they were afraid of the presence of God. We also read that “the way of the wicked is as darkness” (Prov. 4:19), and in a general way the world was in moral darkness after the fall of man, until Christ came. Godly ones rose above the condition of the world, but God had not yet fully revealed Himself.
But then Christ came—the One who could say, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12), and also the One about whom it could be said, “The true light was that which, coming into the world, lightens every man” (John 1:9 JND). Unhappily, man was not comfortable with that light, for we also read, “The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” (John 1:5). But the light had come, just the same, and man was responsible for his reaction to it.
God Is Light
Second, and following on what we have just considered, God in His character is always connected with light. We read, “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). This is a distinct attribute of God and refers to His holy nature—a nature which knows no sin. God cannot have sin in His presence. God in His holy character had, in one sense, been revealed in the Old Testament, but since man at that time was under testing, God did not display His grace as He does in Christ. The Israelite could not approach God except with a sacrifices—sacrifices that had to be repeated. And none could enter God’s presence in the “holy of holies” except the high priest once a year, with the blood of an animal.
Now God has been revealed, not only as light, but also as love, for Christ has come down to reveal the heart of God and to show God’s grace by going to Calvary’s cross to die for lost and guilty man. God’s character as light has not been compromised, but His character of love has been brought out. The solemn reality is that the one who rejects Christ in this day of God’s grace rejects not only light, but also love.
Children of Light
Finally, the believer who accepts Christ has been brought into the light, for we read, “Ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord” (Eph. 5:8). We have been delivered from “the power of darkness” (Col. 1:13) and are now called to “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8). If the world has rejected Christ, it remains in moral darkness, and the only light it has is from the believer. The Lord Jesus could say to His followers, “Ye are the light of the world” (Matt. 5:14), and so it is today. Man can obtain light from God’s Word, but for those who do not read the Word, the only light they see is that exhibited by believers.
How important, then, it is for us to let our “light so shine before men” (Matt. 5:16), so that God may be known through us and that the world may glorify Him. Sad to say, it is all too common today to see those of whom the Lord spoke, when He said, “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matt. 6:23). When man has been brought into the light, even in an outward way, and then rejects it, he falls into greater darkness than the one who has never known the light. This is happening today in Christendom, and an awful judgment awaits it. And while this warning is no doubt primarily for unbelievers, it is a warning to us as believers, who may be tempted to hide our lights because of conformity to this world. In these last days, it is all the more important that our lights be bright!
W. J. Prost