THERE IS A QUALITY OF LIGHT that cannot be measured by even the most precise advanced photometer. We can only see visible light, *but light comes in many other ‘colors’—radio, infrared, ultraviolet, X-ray, and gamma-ray—that are invisible to the naked eye.” A government study notes, **“The entire rainbow of radiation observable to the human eye only makes up a tiny portion of the electromagnetic spectrum – about 0.0035 percent.” Paul says that, in relation to God, “Now we see only a reflection as in a mirror.” (1 Cor. 13:12) He adds elsewhere, God “lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see.” (1 Tim. 6:16) This, however, is not the end of the matter, or of matter, and, this matters.
John gently leads us into a discussion of the light of God versus the darkness that resides in the human condition – a subject that permeates all of John’s writings. Let’s begin with the opening of his version of the gospel, as he describes God-in-the-flesh, Jesus. “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5) For John, the unapproachable light of God is made visible in Christ.
Paul adds, “The Son is the image of the invisible God,” (Col. 1:15a) and also that “in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible… For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile all things.” (Col. 1:16, 19) Clearly, we are no longer talking about light only in the physical universe, but light within the meta-physical cosmos.
This is not an insignificant metaphor. It uses that aspect of the power of descriptive language to express here something that cannot be measured by scientific instruments. This kind of light must be excited by no mere intellectual understanding, but by a transcendent experiential perception. As an example, consider the disciples’ reactions to the events that transpired at the Mount of Transfiguration: Jesus “was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” (Matt. 17:2) Peter is overwhelmed and mumbles something about “putting up three shelters—on for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (Matt. 17:4) At least he can speak. When “a bright cloud covered them, and a voice” spoke (Matt. 17:5a), the best all the rest of them, including Peter, could do was to “fall face down to the ground, terrified.” (Matt. 17:6) The takeaway for them is this powerful application, one you and I should heed: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” (Matt. 17:5b)
Later in life, a more mature John, “The Elder” (2 John 1:1), reflects on lessons learned from Jesus. “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5b) John had ‘seen the light,’ both experientially and spiritually, and had led a long life of ‘listening to him.’ John has become able to speak authoritatively on the meta-physical matters of spiritual light and spiritual darkness and their lower-realm challenges. His language is not the accusative language of division, ‘you,’ but the chivalrous language of inclusion— ‘we.’ “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.” (1 John 1:6)
True fellowship with Christ is proven in the actions of our lives produced by our relationship with him. “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) In that one verse is atonement, salvation, sanctification, koinonia, and calling. And this is the force of the true light at work in those who gather together in ecclesia—the church.
Isaiah, speaking of the God revealed in the O.T., says “Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.” (Isa. 2:5) Jesus, God revealed in the N.T., calls to us: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) John’s gospel also records Jesus’ challenge to every one of his followers: “Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” (John 12:35-36)
Unapproachable light? Not really. God has made it possible for us to approach him, not despite, but because of our impoverished condition; this is the great miracle of the New Covenant made clear in Christ Jesus. Scripture comforts us: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)
Q. Am I walking in the light I’ve been given?
*Essilor News. (Article viewed 2022, Sept. 25), “The Dark Side of Visible and Invisible Light,” https://www.essilorusa.com/newsroom/visible-and-invisible-light
**National Nuclear Security Administration. (2017, Oct. 17), “Visible Light: Eye-Opening research at NNSA,” https://www.energy.gov/nnsa/articles/visible-light-eye-opening-research-nnsa
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