July 17, 2022 - INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE HEART

By Pastor Israel La Guardia

The True Light

John 1:9 (NASB)

9 There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man.

Jesus is the true light, not some imitation. The gospel writer clearly declares that the true light who came into the world is the only true light who alone brings enlightenment to this dark world. He alone gives light, no one and nothing can ever be the light. Jesus is the only source of life and of light.  John 1:4-5 (NASB) 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John’s gospel makes it so clear that not everyone received the light and even in our current time there are still those who haven’t received the one and only true light, so we pray that they will. Jesus declares that He is the Light of the world and anyone who follows Him will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.  John 8:12 (NASB) 12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.

There are so many people who are still spiritually blind, groping in the dark, because they have never found the true light yet. We need to proclaim Him and we also need to reflect His light.  Jesus said and declared that we are the light of the world. Matthew 5:14-16 (NASB) 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. But there is a warning here for us, we merely reflect the only true light.  Jesus has chosen us to reflect his light to an unbelieving world. We are never to present our own ideas as the light to others, but we are always to point others to the true Light so that the world will glorify our Father who is in heaven. So let’s continue to reflect the true light. 

I remember when I was at a very young age living in the country side where there was a scarcity to electric power supply. Electricity was only provided by a gas powered generator for the whole compound of nearly over 200 hundred households. Electricity were provided on short period of time during nights and so we depended on a “gas lamp” or “gasera” in Tagalog. One gas lamp cannot cover the entire house but only some sections. One thing stood out for me, without a gas lamp, it was total darkness! The need for it was necessary and never a luxury.

In the same manner, the world that is full of darkness needs the True Light! The darkness in the hearts and minds of  the unbelieving world can only be dispelled by Him who is the true light. May we always shine His light to others in the way that we live our lives descriptive of our deep love for God and toward others, of our sincere obedience to God’s Word and of our passion to serve those who are in need to “hear and see” about the true light of the world who alone can enlighten every seeking person who is still in darkness.