God “is” “Light”. “Is” meaning ; “existing in this moment of time“, and “the substance, characteristics, and/or character of a thing”. God “is” a “right now”, “in this moment” God; alive, active and available to us. His “substance”, “characteristics”, and “character” is “Light”.But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is,…..” Hebrews 11:6
1 John 1:5 (NASB)
“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.”
“God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all.”
The word translated “light” can be used to describe many different aspects of what light can mean; from a simple shining light, to illumination of thought, etc., to 1 John 1:5 where “Light” is used to describe the nature of God. “Light”, in whatever form, requires a “receptacle”; something to “receive” it and “process” it, in order for the light to be functional and beneficial. For instance, if a person’s eyes are not functioning properly, the benefit of physical light is reduced or eliminated all-together.
What about “Light” as the nature of God and the idea of “receptacles”?
“Man, naturally, is incapable of receiving spiritual light inasmuch as he lacks the capacity for spiritual things. Hence believers are called ‘sons of light’, not merely because they have received a revelation from God, but because in the New Birth they have received the spiritual capacity for it.” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words)
As we accept Christ as our Savior and become a “new creature” in Him, the “eyes of our heart” (our spiritual eyes) become open to receive and perceive the revelation of His “Light” nature that dwells in, and has become alive in us.
“That God is light. Light, in the Scriptures, is the emblem of purity, truth, knowledge, prosperity, and happiness-as darkness is of the opposite. John here says that “God is light”—φῶς—not the light, or a light, but light itself; that is, he is himself all light, and is the source and fountain of light in all worlds, He is perfectly pure, without any admixture of sin. He has all knowledge, with no admixture of ignorance on any subject. He is infinitely happy, with nothing to make him miserable. He is infinitely true, never stating or countenancing error; he is blessed in all his ways, never knowing the darkness of disappointment and adversity. And in him is no darkness at all.
This language is much in the manner of John, not only affirming that a thing is so, but guarding it so that no mistake could possibly be made as to what he meant. The expression here is designed to affirm that God is absolutely perfect; that there is nothing in him which is in any way imperfect, or which would dim or mar the pure splendour of his character, not even as much as the smallest spot would on the sun.
The language is probably designed to guard the mind from an error to which it is prone, that of charging God with being the Author of the sin and misery which exist on the earth; and the apostle seems to design to teach that whatever was the source of sin and misery, it was not in any sense to be charged on God. This doctrine that God is a pure light, John lays down as the substance of all that he had to teach; of all that he had learned from him who was made flesh. It is, in fact, the fountain of all just views of truth on the subject of religion, and all proper views of religion take their origin from this.” (Barnes’ Notes on the New Testament Explanatory and Practical)
Some reflection on the above excerpt from “Barnes’ Notes” will no doubt give us plenty to think about. God’s “Light” nature is alive in us by the Holy Spirit, and by His Presence in us, He gives (enables, equips, and empowers) us to “walk in the light as He is in the light”.
“God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all.”
Our concept of His “isness”; the manner in which we define His nature, substance, characteristics, and character, and the way we “receive” His “isness” into our life and depend on (have faith in) it, will be the role that we “anticipate/expect” or “will allow” God to play in our lives.
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is,…..” God “is” “Light”.
*** Fred Wilson *** is an author, former coach, teacher and Life and Liberty News Contributor.
