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“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

1 John 1:5

In the creation account, God spoke into the void and commanded that light comes into being (Genesis 1:3). This light was either created by God or He simply manifested Himself.

From a natural standpoint, light is essential to all life on Earth. It allows plants to synthesize nutrients using chlorophyll and filter the air we breathe. Humans and animals depend on plants for survival. In other words, everything on Earth depends on light to an extent. Without the sun’s rays, all photosynthesis on our planet would stop. All life forms on earth will cease to exist.

From a spiritual angle, light is a common metaphor to refer to righteousness and holiness:

  • righteousness is likened to the morning sun (Proverbs 4:18)
  • believers are called the salt and light of the world (Matthew 5:16)
  • Jesus is called the light of the world (John 8:12)
  • God is called light (1 John 1:5)

God is holy—and His holiness cannot be taken lightly. The main idea behind holiness is absolute moral purity. He is eternally and permanently holy. Naturally, light is directly in contrast with darkness. Since light is a metaphor for holiness, darkness would mean wickedness.

John expounds that his message is an eyewitness account of what he and the other apostles had personally experienced many years before. He points out that God is not just a light but light; He is not just good but goodness. He uses the same metaphor at least eight more times in his writings (John and Revelation). If God is light, it means there is no shade of evil in Him. Such a teaching John learned from the Lord Jesus Himself.

Light is an aspect of God’s divine nature. He exposes sin.

20 “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.”

John 3:20

John later explains that sin is a transgression of the law (1 John 3:4). It is a rejection of God’s perfect law. When we sin, we act independently of God, which is the essence of sin. God is completely righteous and is the Author of the law. He always acts in a way that is consistent with His character. Therefore He Himself could not sin because doing so would violate His very Person.

Having a proper understanding of God’s holiness will help us know Him more and have a better appreciation of who He is. If we believe that God is holy, we should also know that He is righteous. He is always right, fair, and true. He rules the universe in righteousness. In light of all the wickedness that happens in the world, we must believe that God is just and will always do what is right—whether we may or may not understand it at the moment.

5 “The Lord within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.”

Zephaniah 3:5

What is your response to God’s absolute holiness?

Pursue the Savior today!