Being in the Word || #5 To Have Light

   Happy beginning of the week readers! It's time for the last "reason" post for the Being in the Word series! Next time, we will wrap it up with a few pointers on how to study the Bible, Lord willing. I shan't get too ahead of myself though...;) Let's study the LIGHT of God's word.

This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 

1 John 1:5 

   God's Word is full of references to light and dark, and the contrast between them. In the Bible, light refers to God and the things of God while darkness refers to sinful things. As believers, we have been called to the light. In order to see what is light in a world that makes black and white blur into gray, we must be faithful to let the scriptures teach us what is true.

 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 

1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light  (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),  finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.  And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.  

Ephesians 5:8-13 NKJV

 
   Before we are saved, we are part of the darkness, enemies of God. Our Lord calls us out of the darkness, and we turn to Christ, becoming part of the light. We now have the Holy Spirit to help us live holy lives in the light and should no longer join in the sinful activities of the darkness. Our lives are to be lives of contrast. But how are we to know what is light? You guessed it...The Bible!

 Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105 NKJV

 The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.

Psalm 119:130 NKJV

So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, 

but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

2 Peter 1:19-21  NASB

(Context: Peter wrote about being an eyewitness to the majesty of the Lord Jesus and hearing God's voice from heaven speaking of His beloved son. He continues with the above words.)

   Both the Psalmist and the Apostle Peter spoke of the Word of God as light and light-giving. This Word shows us the path to take and gives us understanding. We are to pay attention to it as we would to a lamp shining in the dark. The light of the Bible shows us what we need to know to live as children of the King! May we be encouraged by these words: 

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:7 NKJV