John says that Jesus is the true light of the world. If Jesus is the true light, then that means there are other lights that are false. Why is this important?
Everything that you see with your eyes, everything, is a reflection flowing from a source of light. That reflected light passes through your eye and into your brain where the light is processed and visual images are shown in the theater of your mind. If that reflected light that is not true and pure, it will give you a false picture of what is really there.
In a similar way, the Bible says your heart has eyes. So, everything you see with your heart, everything, is a reflection flowing from a source of light. That reflected light passes through your heart, is processed by your heart and is shown in the theater of your thoughts and then your emotions. If the source of that reflected light is not the true light of Christ you will have a false view of what is real. It is the view that you cannot trust.
Without the true light of Christ, you will not a have clear picture of what your world is like. Your thoughts, your emotions, your values, will all be flawed unless the reflected light of Jesus is your light source. Without the light of Christ what you think is true will be in fact be a deceptive illusion. Without the light of Christ, you walk in darkness, even if you believe you are walking in light. Your thoughts, your emotions, your values, will all be flawed unless the reflected light of Jesus is your light source.
For example, you may be in a relationship that seems right. But if that relationship is not seen through the true light of Jesus, what seems right may be horribly wrong. Your emotions may be telling you this is good and safe. But if your emotions are not illuminated by the true light of Christ, they will lead you into darkness.
You have an important financial decision to make. You want to make the right choice. But if the true light of Christ’s word is not shining brightly in your heart you will be played like a fool, thinking that you can serve both Christ and the pursuit of money. What you thought was financially wise may bring a return but cost you dearly in the relationships that matter most to you.
How does the true light of Christ shine into your heart? As Paul says, it is the word of Christ, the Bible, that provides the light that you can trust. We all need light to see, whether we are seeing with our eyes or with our hearts. If that light is not pure, you will be unable to think and act safely. Your emotions will be informed by darkness masquerading as light. Christmas is the celebration of true light coming into the world.
Christmas is the celebration of true light coming into the world. Without the light of Christ informing our eyes and our hearts, you and I will stumble in the darkness, not knowing what makes us fall.
The light of Christmas shining into your heart is God’s great gift to you. Live in the true light of Christ.
Jay Younts is the author of Everyday Talk, Everyday Talk About Sex & Marriage, and he is the Shepherd Press blogger. He is a ruling elder at Redeemer Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Moore, South Carolina. He and his late wife Ruth have five adult children.
