JOHN 1:6-9: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.”

OBSERVATION: In the opening verses of the Gospel of John we are introduced to two very important concepts – “Word” and “Light”. These are fundamental to our walk of faith and our understanding of our relationship with the Lord. The misunderstanding of these two important truths has led to much confusion and misapplication in parenting, ministry, and life.

John was called to bear witness of the “Light”. This is also our calling. How did John bear witness? He did this through his “words”. So now we have the second introduction of “word” and “light”. I did not capitalize these words intentionally when referring to John. This distinction leads us to the confusion of these terms.

First and foremost, neither John nor we are the “Light”, we are merely “little lights” that are simply to point to the one true “Light” – Jesus Christ. How many times do we lead those we are helping to look to us as their source of “Light”. We may do this unwittingly, but we often do it ever the same. It is a subtle mistake, but one that every parent and every Christian has made. We do not have anything resident within ourselves that can change the life of our child or anyone we are trying to help. We only hold a flashlight that can enlighten the pathway to the source of all “Life” and “Light” – Jesus Christ. This is so important to remember, lest we lead others to false hopes and assurances that we can never fulfill. How many Christian’s fall when a leader fall’s from grace. Could this be one of the key reasons? They were trusting in the “light” – and not the one true “Light” that has come into the world.

Second, and equally important, we cannot confuse the “word” of our testimony with the “Word”. This is the flip side of our understanding of the “Light”. There is a lot of teaching today that focuses upon the power of our “words”. Proverbs speaks about the power of the tongue, and this is true. Yet, we must remember that the power in our “words” only come from the power of “The Word” – Jesus Christ. We are not walking in some new age teaching that leads us to “speak things” into existence as if we are the source of power and life. We are called to lead others to the “Living Word”, the “Word” that created all things, the “Logos” of God – Jesus Christ. Once again it is not our “word” that has the power, but it is the “Word”. When God said – “Let there be light”, it was not some string of words that floated across the cosmos and created light. No, it was the “Logos”, the “Word” – the Lord Jesus Christ!

Can you see how subtle the error can creep into our lives? We must always be Christ centric. He must be our all in all. Paul understood this when he said he counted everything as loss to simply “know Him”! Lord, You are the “Light”! You are the “Word”! Help me to be a faithful “light” in leading others to know You and follow You as their only source of hope and life! Thank You for being my “Light” and “Word of life! In Jesus Name!