September 2026

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus and friends, God’s peace!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men 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 lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-14

This Scripture passage speaks multiple times about light. It is not referring to just any light, but “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world”, Christ Himself (verse 9). How are we to understand this verse, since not all people receive this light? Paul says in 2 Corinthians 4, verses 3-6: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Note that Paul does not say that the Gospel is hidden from them that are lost; he says it is hidden to them. Just as a blind person cannot see in the brightest sunshine, those who are in unbelief under the power of Satan cannot see the Light, as our text says in verse 5. How, then, can their eyes be opened? By the living and powerful Word of God! "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." (Psalms 119:130) Paul speaks of God commanding the light to shine out of darkness at creation. God involved himself in the darkness and the chaos that existed before creation when He said, “Let there be light!” In the same way, He came as the Word made flesh (Jesus) into the darkness of the fallen world to give “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”. The same Word of God is still able today to create awakening, conviction, repentance, and faith in the finished redemptive work of Christ. Then there will be a new life of repentance and faith: "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (1 John 1:7) We can also look forward to spending eternity in heaven where the Lamb is the light! (Revelation 21:23)

Let us abide in the Word and prayerfully share it with others, so they also may see the Light and walk in it!

Ivan Niemela, Pelkie, Michigan