There are a lot of implications or inferences that can be made from this text, but I'm only going to discuss it briefly. When I read this passage this morning, and I think about light I see it from two perspectives: physical and spiritual. I watch the sun come up and as its light breaks over the horizon and physically pierces my eyes I can now see things that were once hidden by the darkness. We can take this same sentence and tweak it just slightly and think about it in a completely different way. I watch the Son (by the Holy Spirit) and as His light breaks over the horizon (of my days) and pierces my (spiritual) eyes I can now see things that were once hidden by the darkness (sin).
When we get a glimpse of ourselves against the Holy Light of God and His Word we see ourselves as we really are: filthy and unkempt. That is when we realize we need to cry out for God's grace and mercy all the more. If God calls the light of the world good, ponder how much more His Holy light must be. How glorious will be the day when we finally see His face shine upon us. Numbers 6:25 (ESV) "the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you".
I can't say this any better so I'm just going to let C.H. Spurgeon say it,
"No sooner is there a good thing in the world, than a division is necessary. Light and darkness have no communion; God has divided them, let us not confound them. Sons of light must not have fellowship with deeds, doctrines, or deceits of darkness. The children of the day must be sober, honest, and bold in their Lord's work, leaving the works of darkness to those who shall dwell in it forever. Our Churches should by discipline divide the light from the darkness, and we should by our distinct separation from the world do the same. In judgment, in action, in hearing, in teaching, in association, we must discern between the precious and the vile, and maintain the great distinction which the Lord made upon the world's first day. O Lord Jesus, be thou our light throughout the whole of this day, for thy light is the light of men."
The concept of light is so profound to Charles that he takes both morning and evening to talk about it. He goes on to say that, "If the Lord has given you light, dear reader, he looks on that light with peculiar interest; for not only is it dear to him as his own handiwork, but because it is like himself, for 'He is light.'" This gives us that are in Christ much comfort because we know that even in our uncleanness God still looks at us with favor. Phillipians 1:6 "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." I am so thankful that the Lord sees His light in us, even when we cannot see it. It is much better for the Judge to see me as innocent than for me, the sinner, to think that I am innocent.
Spurgeon goes on to say, "You may be sighing and groaning because of inbred sin, and mourning over your darkness, yet the Lord sees "light" in your heart, for he has put it there, and all the cloudiness and gloom of your soul cannot conceal your light from his gracious eye. You may have sunk low in despondency, and even despair; but if your soul has any longing towards Christ, and if you are seeking to rest in his finished work, God sees the 'light.'"
The Lord preserves the light in us by His Grace alone. We should be nothing but grateful and giving thanks to Him. He alone will, on that appointed day, make the light in us appear fully in glory. The light within is the dawn of the eternal day. Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
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