Who’s going to win, Bears or Packers? Or perhaps NASCAR is more your speed, care to name the winner of the next race? Or how about baseball, who is going to win the next Cubs vs. Cardinals contest? In sports, in business, in war, the outcome is never certain. Sure, there are favorites and probably and shoulds, but nothing is for sure. Except for one thing, light always wins over darkness.
Now any High School physics student should be able to tell you that light always wins since darkness is defined as the absence of light. However, the truth that we see in the physical world tells us something about the spiritual world. Light always wins, it always dispels darkness.
Light is often used as a metaphor for understanding. Like the light bulb that comes on in our mind when we suddenly see a new truth or grasp a new idea. The Bible also considers light in this sense, “And I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness.” (Ecclesiastes 2:13, NASB95) Light in scripture, however, is not simply a metaphor for wisdom and knowledge. Instead, it goes deeper into our beings. Even there, light always wins.
One time, Betty and I were ministering in South Carolina. The house where we stayed was an old plantation that had been turned into a retreat center. I needed a little light to make my way around the unfamiliar surroundings. Like the soft glow from my cell phone so that I could get dressed without disturbing Betty. Later, after making my way to the library, I turned on a few lights so that I could see to write this article. Now at home, I wouldn’t have needed any light to get dressed by. I’m used to those surroundings; I know where my socks are.
Life can be like that. We become so used to the darkness and our environment that we think we have all the light we need. But that is the fallacy. While we may be comfortable in our darkness we need the light of Jesus Christ to light our way. Jesus himself declared, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12, NASB95) When His light shines in our hearts we see the pile of sin in our lives. We see that what we thought was a nice looking shirt and jeans are really dirty, tattered, and torn. But remember, light always wins! We may be tempted to fix our faults by shutting out the light, like a child playing peek-a-boo; if I can’t see you then you’re not there. Yet, our sin is present whether we can see it or not. When we open ourselves to Christ’s light, when we agree with God about our sin and turn from them, then He is faithful and just to cleanse our hearts. (1 John 1:9) In other words, the light of Jesus Christ always wins.
Now, take that one step farther. Jesus told us, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. “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.” (Matthew 5:14–16, NASB95) Lots of folks complain and grumble about the world. Want to fix it? Want to drive back the darkness that seems to be winning? Then let Jesus shine His light on your heart so that you can shine His light to the world, “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”. Remember, the light of Jesus always wins!
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