Jesus Said He is... Series, Part 6: The Light of the World

Jesus Said He is... Series, Part 6: The Light of the World

When Jesus declares in John 8:12, "I am the Light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life," He says it right after rescuing a woman caught in adultery. If you are familiar with the story, you know her accusers were about to stone her for her sin (John 8:1-12 posted at the end of this writing). Instead of Jesus condoning their old covenant law, He wrote in the sand as if ignoring their ranting. Although the Bible never tells us what Jesus wrote, some speculate it was the sins of the men who sought to take the woman's life. I believe this is a real possibility, which is why Jesus said to them in John 8:7, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her," and wrote in the sand a second time. Quickly, the thudding of rocks could be heard dropping to the ground and they all left. Jesus then tells the woman that He also does not condemn her and instructs the woman to sin no more.

Before I go on, I want to add first that this is a beautiful story of the love and forgiveness of Jesus.  Because we know Jesus knows all our thoughts, we can assume the woman was feeling great remorse, and Jesus was fully aware of her contrite heart.  True repentance is not just because you have been caught, but it means feeling real grief over your sin. It is also a reminder that we are not anyone's judge, but only God is!

Which brings me to my next point in matters of condemnation for our sins because people tend to twist this story as if Jesus accepted her sin when He said He did not condemn her, and therefore they say we also are never condemned for our sins. This is why is it so very important to always read the Bible in its entirety and not just scripture pick. Let's start with where this blog began, with John 8:12. When Jesus says we will no longer walk in darkness, this is not just a metaphor, but a command to exchange dark for light.  Jesus says that when we walk in His Light, we are to sin no more. He even says the same to the woman the very same thing. Not that it is okay to keep on living in sin, but to give up her sexually immoral lifestyle and sin no more.

Also, we must realize that yes, Jesus says several times that He had not come to condemn the world, but to save it from sin (See John 3:17). But do not stop there by assuming we can do no wrong. Though Jesus' goal while He was on this earth as a man was not to be our judge, He makes it very clear that His Father God will judge us for all our works. (See also Revelation 20:12-13)

(Matthew 16:17) [Jesus said,] "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."

Romans 8:1 states, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk NOT after the flesh, BUT after the Spirit." Did you know there were ten extra words to that verse? Those 10 words make a lot of difference. It is absolutely the key to our walking in the Light of Christ - walking not after the flesh, but in the spirit, ONLY then will there be no condemnation. Jesus did not die just to wink at our sins and turn a blind eye to rebellion against His holy Words. (Please read all of Romans 8:1-16 if you need more clarity.)

1 John 1:9 says. "IF we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Confessing, repenting, and not repeating our sins, that is how we live in the Light of the Lord, not by burying our heads in the sand and pretending we are not responsible for our actions by saying God does not condemn us for our sins. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sins for a reason (John 16:8 [When speaking of the Holy Spirit, Jesus said,] "And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."), not that we live in complacency and apathy of our actions, but so we can change our sinful ways to better serve Jesus and make Him Lord of our life! Remember what Romans 6:1-2 says, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?"

You may think I am getting off the subject of Jesus as our Light, but it actually all fits together. For as Jesus said, when we choose to accept His free gift of salvation, we must also make the choice to give up the darkness of rebellion and walk in the Light of the ways of Jesus.

Let's also explore the words of the apostle Paul:

(Romans 13: 11-14) And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly (other versions say "decently" or "honestly"), as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

 
2 Corinthians 6:2 reminds us that "now is the day of salvation," so do the verses in Romans 13. And as Ephesians 5:14 instructs, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee Light," so the words in Romans also remind us to wake out of the darkness of sin and walk into the Light of holiness!

Time on this earth is very, very short; now is not the time to play around with fire, now is the time to wake up and walk into the Light. Work out your salvation and get rid of the sin in your life (see Philippians 2:10-13)!

We need to purge ourselves of pride, racism, deceitfulness, bad language, unforgiveness, ungodly entertainment, alcohol/drugs, sexual immorality, the occult etc. "The night is far spent," and the there is precious little time left! If you love the Lord and care about where you spend eternity, pay close attention to the condition of your soul! Now is the day to make your heart right with God!

 
(Ephesians 5:11-14) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. but all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore He saith, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light."

Now it is up to you to choose to live in the Light of Jesus and not the darkness of this world. To go and sin no more.

(John 8:1-12) Jesus went unto the mount of Olives. And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

They say unto Him, "Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?"

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up himself, and said unto them, "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

When Jesus had lifted up Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, "Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?"

She said, "No man, Lord. "

And Jesus said unto her, "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, "I am the Light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life."