For a moment, think about a person you spend a lot of time with—maybe it’s a spouse, a co-worker, a sibling, a friend, or a parent. What is the most fundamental characteristic of that person? Is there one word that can describe this person that would effectively communicate what they are truly like?
Now, consider this: if you were to describe God in one word, what would it be? This isn’t a new question. Since the fall of man, humans have struggled to see God as he truly is. Our human nature, marred by sin, blinds us to his truth and purpose. Our inherent self-centeredness distorts our view of God, pushing us to place ourselves at the center of our relationship with Him.
John was someone who walked with the Lord Jesus. Not only did John know who Jesus was, but they were actually close friends. Because of this, John, along with the other apostles, has a very unique perspective because of his friendship. If we want to know what God is like, we would be wise to pay attention to the words of a man who was close to him while he was a man on earth.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:5 (ESV)
John wrote here that Jesus told him that the most important word to describe God is “light.” There are many theological and practical layers to this idea.
The God of the Bible is not like other gods.
The popular deities of John’s day were dark-hearted and ethically flawed. The stories of their lives and pursuits were full of deception, immorality, and revenge. Their lives resembled human lives, yet John shows us a God that is entirely different. He is holy and pure in his actions, thoughts, and plans. He will never show betrayal or fraud to get what he wants.
The God of the Bible is not like us.
John went on to speak of our problem with self-deception. One of our flaws is that we struggle with being honest with ourselves about how our sinful nature reigns in our thoughts, our hearts, and our abilities. We can give the perception of safety and godliness, but the Lord sees even the hidden things—our darkness. See how John describes humans who lack fellowship with God due to dishonest self-reflections:
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. … If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. … If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1 John 1:6, 8, 10 (ESV)
Truth be told, “light” is the standard for what God requires his people, and we are not like God. If this does not shake you to your core, you do not understand how big of a problem this is for us. As John said, you make God “a liar.”
So how can we stand in this light as wretched as we are? Let us find the answer to this in what was said above. Again, God is not like other gods, and he is not like us. He is not quick to judge but is patient toward us. He desires fellowship with us, and through the Lord Jesus Christ, he has provided a way for us to stand in his holy light.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
1 John 1:7 (ESV)
To know God is to walk in his light—his pure holiness. More than anything else, this is the essence of God’s character.
Bee-Attitude
Blessed are you who live in God’s light, for you shall have fellowship with him.
Grant Turner is the editor of the Barnesville Buzz and an educator, coach, and writer based in Barnesville, Georgia. He shares stories that bridge community, faith, and personal growth. In addition to teaching and coaching, Grant is Director of Musical Worship and a Sunday School teacher at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. He lives in Barnesville with his wife, Haley.
