In the first century, darkness was feared. To be caught on the road after dark meant danger, especially when the moon and stars were obscured. The Apostle John wanted his readers to know the message God had given him to preach to others. God wanted his children to understand him as their pure light.

The book of Revelation tells us that, in heaven, “night will be no more” (22:5). Imagine never needing to rest or recover. Imagine an existence with no darkness. Then, imagine what those words meant to the first-century audience. Our world is rarely in complete darkness. It takes a power outage for us to experience darkness. Even then, we are usually able to grab a flashlight powerful enough to light the room. 

God is always visible light, and gives us what we need to see our way through the darkness in this world. In the first century, light meant direction and protection, so God described himself as light. Darkness, on the other hand, meant fear and danger to a person who was lost and couldn’t find their path home.

The Apostle John taught that those who are without God in this world are “lost” in a spiritual darkness, unable to find their way to heaven. Those who have God know him as their light. They are safe as they journey through this world, knowing one day they will dwell in heaven, a place where night and darkness no longer exist.

When the darkness increases in our culture, we can trust that God is the light of truth who will lead us. But, we also recognize that those who don't have God walk in spiritual darkness. They are lost, needing his light. God’s truth is the light for their path too. So “let your light shine before others” (Matthew 5:16) so that they can find their way home too.

Knowing God is the beginning of wisdom. Know that God is our light in this world and our lives can provide the light of God to others as well.