BEING THE LIGHT: Daily Reading Plan #4
John 3:19-21
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.
The Greek phrase translated as "practices the truth," or "does what is true," or "lives by truth" is poiōn tēn alētheian. This uses the same term used to describe Jesus as the "true" Light in John 1:9. The phrase implies those who are committed to reality, fact, and honesty—all of which lead a person to Christ. Verse 20 says that a life without Christ is meaningless, and ultimately ends in disaster. Hiding from Christ, the Light, is an effort to keep our evil actions hidden.
In contrast, according to verse 21, life in Christ results in our actions being approved by God. Rebirth through Christ (John 3:5) gives us meaning and purpose (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10). Those who put their effort into pleasing God don't have to be ashamed of how they've spent their time (2 Timothy 2:15). Those who want to cling to evil hide from the light, those who want to be free from evil move into it.
Reflection Questions
- What do these verses reveal about being the light?
- How are you called to live as a result of taking these verses to heart?
