The True Light Now Shineth

Jesus Christ is the only spiritual light in all religions. If you do not know this Light and do not live under its brightness, then you are lost. Religions are systems of studying and learning but Jesus Christ is the transforming Light that dispels the darkness and gives eternal life. No Bible writer shines the light of Jesus with greater focus than John.

In his gospel John stated, "In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not" (John 1:4-5). This great revelation of truth is more profound than is often understood. It actually says that Jesus Christ is Light and that this Light cannot be mastered or diminished. "The darkness comprehended it not" (John 1:5b) or the darkness fled from the light and had no escape. The darkness lost the battle in Jesus Christ "the light of the world" (John 8:12).

Darkness does not just move to another location when Jesus Christ appears, it actually vanishes and is utterly defeated. When a repenting sinner is born again, his entire person – body, soul, and spirit – enters into a transformed awakening. They are "Born Again" and become "a new creature" in Jesus Christ. Old things are passed away.

The Apostle Paul voiced this truth perfectly. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation" (II Corinthians 5:17-18). The very heart of the New Covenant by Jesus Christ is the "Born Again" life. It is a supernatural awakening. No person experiencing the "New Birth" can fail to be transformed.

This is at the heart of the "Good News of the Gospel." I love the Roman’s Road found in the book of Romans. Apostle Paul declares the freedom and matchless liberty in Jesus Christ. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1-2).

It goes far beyond just a mental decision or choice; it is a brand new life. Purity becomes a reality not a dream. The body, soul, and spirit of the believer are renewed in the appetites and desires of Jesus Christ and His righteousness. No, we do not become perfect, but we do become pure by His grace manifesting the new man. Then we follow after Him and are made partakers of His divine nature progressively.

Read carefully as the Apostle Paul promises the purity and beauty of Holiness. The Spirit said, "And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you" (Romans 8:10-11).

What an exciting life a believer in Jesus Christ is ordained to know! No, it is not trouble free nor will it be untested by the enemy of the soul. The secret is living in the Word of God and continuing in prayer and fellowship with the Lord Himself. Another statement that the Spirit gave us by Paul makes this life more than just religion. He stated, "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if s o be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together" (Romans 8:14-16).

The greatest moments of my life from fifty-six years ago were when Jesus Christ wrought grace into my heart. The Holy Spirit is not some impersonal influence. He is the Divine Spirit of my Father and His Son. He literally makes Jesus Christ manifest so that I hear His voice and sense His joys. In the Scripture, it is called being "led by the Spirit" (Romans 8:14b). It is "joy unspeakable and full of glory" (I Peter 1:8).

This is the promise of life and light that Jesus Christ gave us. The Holy Spirit is His grace and righteousness being made real in our life. The Son of God promised this and His covenant cannot be broken. Jesus said, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:21 and 23).

This is the light in the saints that will draw men and women to Jesus Christ. Sinners are not drawn by doctrines and systems; they are drawn by His grace and His life that is evident in the believers. This Light — when it is allowed to shine — cannot be comprehended (hindered) by Satan (John 1:4). Jesus breaks out like fire and shines unto a brighter day.