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All that true science ascertains about light speaks of God; it is a symbol of Himself
impresses one with the vital power of light. We are only just beginning to realize the
creative energy of light, and the reason why it must of necessity stand first in the record
of Gen. 1: So with the great fountain of light, the sun, how many and varied are the
ways in which the sun sets forth in natural symbols the invisible God.
All that the study of the Scriptures reveals concerning the use of the word and symbol
"light" in the inspired record contributes to our understanding of what God is. And this is
also true of "love". These are the two main words concerned in the manifesting to men
of the real character of that God, Who is Spirit, infinite and eternal. If we turn to the first
epistle of John, we shall find that the words "light" and "love" are used in connection
with God's relationship with the believer:--
"This then is the message which we have heard of Him, and declare unto you, that
God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with
Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as He
is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His
Son cleanseth us from all sin" (I John 1: 5-7).
The Scriptures constantly insist upon the incompatibility of light and darkness, and as
this thought is prominent in the important revelation concerning God Himself which we
have quoted above, no pains should be spared to make this distinction clear:--
"God is light."--The positive statement.
"And in Him is no darkness at all."--The negative statement.
We will arrange the testimony of Scripture under these two heads, so that it may be
clearly seen:--
Light.
Darkness.
with Whom is no variableness neither shadow of
"The Father of lights,
turning" (James 1: 17).
out of darkness" (I Pet. 2: 9).
"Called . . . . . into His marvelous light
We are not of the night nor of darkness"
"Ye are all the children of the light.
(I Thess. 5: 5).
Delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath
"The inheritance of the saints in light . . .
translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son"
(Col. 1: 12, 13).
Ye were sometimes darkness" (Eph. 5: 8).
"Now are ye light in the Lord.
with darkness?
"What communion hath light
with Belial?" (II Cor. 6: 14, 15).
And what concord hath Christ
out of darkness" (II Cor. 4: 6).
"God, Who commanded the light to shine
Let us cast off the works of darkness"
"Let us put on the armour of light.
(Rom. 13: 12).
Man loved darkness rather than light because their
"Light is come into the world . . . . .
deeds were evil" (John 3: 19).
in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it
"The light shineth
not" (John 1: 5).
It is evident from these citations that a clear distinction between light and darkness is
maintained in the New Testament. Peter, James, John and Paul are unanimous.