Light and the Word of God

God is the source of life and light. Creation account depicts that God created the heavens and the earth. When the earth became null and void and the darkness was over the surface of the deep, God continues to intervene in the creation. God said, let there be light there was light. God separated the light from the darkness (Gen.1: 2, 3). Then the history of the Bible speaks that the earth became useful to the mankind after the separation of light and darkness.

The progressive revelation of light is visible in the history through different ways. John the apostle introduces that Jesus as the source of Light who is the incarnation of the word of God (Jn.1:1). Further, he speaks that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not comprehend it. The revelation of God through the history is manifested in the word of God.  Bible is the open heart of the loving and unchanging God. Bible portrays that God is same yesterday, today and forever. Therefore the word of God also is unchangeable. Weightage of the word of God is equal to God the creator and sustainer. As the work of the light is to sustain the life which was given by God, in the same way the word of God also sustains those who got life through Jesus Christ.

There are many passages that speak about the work of the word of God.  The word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit of both joints and marrow and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart ( Heb.4: 11). This passage presents the in-depth influence of the word of God that works in the entire life of each person. In human way physicians can be source in cure of the body, psychologists can read the mind of the people and help their soul, the ministers of God can help to develop the insights of the spirit. In the same way the integrated work of the three offices which mentioned above can be done through the word of God. Therefore nothing is equal to the work of the word of God in sustaining and brightening the life of human being. The writer of the book of Hebrews says about the power and the work of the scripture which discerns and judges the people.

Discernment of the word of God works in everyday life. Jesus Christ said, sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth (Jn.17:17). We are sanctified with the blood of Jesus Christ and being cleansed with the word of God. This text further speaks about the influence of the word in our day to day life. The word of God is portrayed as mirror in the book of James (1:23, 24). The primary purpose of a mirror is to see ourselves, through which one may get confidence and satisfaction, and will become aware of the limitation and the areas to be corrected. This symbolic representation brings light to understand the power of the scripture in terms of introspection and retrospection as it provides energy for transformation in Christian life. Unlike the mirror, the power of the scripture is unique as it helps us to see ourselves and Jesus Christ who is the author and perfector of faith. Thereby the parameter of Christian living is becoming Jesus Himself.

In addition while James speaks about the practice of faith, he emphasizes the importance and work of the scripture. It is a common phenomenon that people compare them with others and take self-satisfaction. But Christian has to examine their life with the life of Christ who is the model of life (1 Pet.2:21, Mt.5:48).  Indeed it is the fact that the word has the power to discern and judge our life. The meaning of the word judgment is settling an account with the creator and the creation. It can be understood in two ways. One is about our present life that means the judgment of the word of God happens every day. It is evident in the writings of John that one who believes in Him is not judged (Joh 3:18).  Further John talks about the reason of present judgment, the light has come into the world, and the men loved the darkness rather than the light (Joh 3:19). As per this statement the present judgment is based on those who believe and not believe. 

Second meaning focuses on the futuristic judgment. Paul explains in the letter to the Romans that God will judge the secrets of men according to gospel (Rom.2:14, 16). God will judge the mankind according to the Law, the consciousness and the word of God. Therefore those who believe in Jesus Christ are relieved from the future judgment. The word of God works in the heart of the people irrespective of cast, gender, colour, creed …etc.   

Scripture is living and active and provides life and light.  Scripture enlightens to the total life. People can approach Bible with different outlook. Bible can be studied intellectually, which increase our knowledge. But the study of scripture with the guidance of Holy Spirit helps to experience the life of the word. There are many passages speaks about the influence of scripture in the life of each individuals. Scripture makes us wise to accept God’ salvation (2 Tim.3:15), God’s word teach us what is right and wrong in our life. The word keeps people away from sin (Ps.119:11) and failures.  The Bible has much to provide in our life.  Word comforts (119:50), word keeps from stumbling (119:105), become the source of peace (119:165) and abundance of life.          

There is no book equal to Bible which provides light to mankind from rebirth to death or till the second coming of Christ. Bible sheds light to the path and makes the path straight. Paul charged Timothy to preach the word (2 Tim 4:2). This is a command to all ministers in all generations. Romans chapter 15:4 -5 explains about the work of the scripture that to teach us patients, comfort us, help to be steadfast in faith and have hope. Such experience should happen even in the hearing of the word of God. A genuine reader of the Bible experiences the feeling of joy, as he/she obey and meditate the word.

GPS or Google Map provides road map on the face of the earth. But Bible is the only map which provides the road map to live in this world and the world to come. In another words, Word of God is the true light which is useful to the life on earth and life after death.

To sum up the word of God provides hopes and aspirations of human beings in every generation. It carries with in an intrinsic potential of power and authority. Isaiah affirms the power of the word "so shall my word ....it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and succeed in the thing for which I send it" (Isiah.55:11). The enormous potential and power imbued in God's word is benefited for humanity only when humans make the best use of it. Word of God offers several solutions for the dilemmas and bafflements of this human Life. In addition, it also offers a hope that can carry on beyond this life. It offers the gift of the peace of God that passes all understanding.   The relevance of Biblical teaching transcends all the fleeting changes of centuries. It never gets out of date. The pages of the Bible are an assurance of a solution that offers true fulfillment and peace. The divine and transforming intervention of the word of God in human nature is the greatest miracle in the human history. Thus the Bible is a light to the humanity as it directs, guides, empowers and transforms.