Shine God’s Light: How Jesus Illuminates Our Lives and Purpose

Summary

Light makes physical life possible, and God’s light makes spiritual life flourish. Scripture reveals God as the source of life-giving light, and Jesus as the Light of the world who overcomes darkness. His grace, guidance, and salvation shine into human hearts, transforming us to reflect His glory. Believers are called to shine His light through good works, guiding others toward peace, truth, and God’s kingdom. We are God’s flashlights. Jesus supplies the power.

Light Is Essential for Life

Without light, you would not be reading these words. I could not write them. Even if I could, you could not read them. Your eyes are useless without light. Furthermore, a dark world would have no food or water to sustain you.

A dark Earth would be unimaginably different. You would not be here. Neither would all living things--from the magnificent blue whale to the microscopic amoeba. Light spawns life.

God Commands Light and Life

The earth was once formless and empty. Darkness blanketed the oceans (Genesis 1:2). God commanded the light to appear (Genesis 1:3) as the first step toward His intended world—a paradise full of life and light, physically and spiritually.

God’s Shining = His Blessing

Light shines. That is what it does. God shines with enough energy to sustain you and everything else forever. When He shines, He is just being Himself.

His shining on you is as vital to your spiritual health as light is to plants. His face shining upon you is associated with His being gracious to you, blessing you, meeting your needs, saving you, and you learning His ways (Numbers 6:25, Psalm 4:6, Psalm 67:1, Psalm 80:3, 7, 19, Psalm 119:135).

The glory of God will illuminate the city of God, and the Lamb will be its lamp (Revelation 21:23). “From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth” (Psalm 50:2 NIV).

Jesus: The Light of the World

Jesus also shines. In Him, God’s life and light merge. Of Him, Scripture says, “Because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:78-79 NIV).

He is the light of the world (John 8:12). He is the way, truth, and life (John 14:6). “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 NIV).

Wake Up and Shine God's Light

“This is why it is said: 'Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you’” (Ephesians 5:14 NIV). Jesus came to bring light and life to a dark world. That is your purpose too.

Created to Reflect God’s Light

Jesus shines through you. God created you to be a living demonstration of what He can do with a life. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16 NIV).

Guiding Others to God’s Path

By the power of God’s Spirit, you cooperate with His purpose when you guide others’ feet into the path of peace.

God is your everlasting light and your glory (Isaiah 60:19). “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you” (Isaiah 60:1 NIV).

Your Purpose: Glow With God

As God’s fire shone at night in the wilderness to illuminate the path the children of Israel should take, you can light His path for others to follow by His grace (Nehemiah 9:19).

The Father and Son shine. Join them! They are the batteries and bulbs, but you are the flashlight. Jesus shines through you. See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.   #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources

God has empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free, evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship e-book. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead 7,541 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 17,361 people. I invite you to explore and use it in your setting.

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