John 8:12 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."
It’s hard to tell whether Jesus immediately spoke to the crowd that remained after the woman’s accusers left the scene, or if this occurred at another time. It is believed that John 8:1-11 was a later addition to the gospel, however, it certainly flows in a line of reason from the events of chapter 7 and those of this chapter.
It makes sense that Jesus would make this comment after the differences of darkness and light were so obviously displayed. We are encouraged in our living to love with Jesus, to believe what Jesus believes and follow with Him in His purpose for life. That’s what it means to follow Him. He is the Light of the world and His Life is the Light. So we are encouraged that the ones who follow Him will display the Light of His Life. I suggest that the love of God is the light of His life. God is love. Jesus is God. His love is the light of the world. There’s obviously more to God than just love. For instance, God is holy, which means that His love is holy. There is no other love like His love, and we could say that about all of His attributes. I want to keep it simple for us today, by encouraging us to embrace Jesus’ purpose, which is to glorify His Father by loving with Him.
Jesus said in this verse, that if we follow Him, we will not walk in darkness. John reiterated Jesus’ words in 1 John 1:7. “If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Then in 2:9-11 and 3:23-24 we see the relationship between walking in the Light and love.
The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother abides in the Light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes (2:9-11).
This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us (3:23-24).
Living to love with Jesus is God’s call to us today. That’s what having the light of Life looks like. May we follow Jesus as the Light of the world by being filled with the Spirit whom He has given us. The fruit of the Spirit is love.
I invite you to become a partner in our ministry. Would you pray about becoming a regular supporter of Elijah Ministries and the Live to Love with Jesus ministry? I hope you will receive the joy and benefit of "giving it forward," so others may receive encouragement to turn their hearts to God and to live to love with Jesus. You may give online or send a check to the address listed at www.spiritofelijah.com/donate.
