Light is defined in several meanings: as "the essential condition of vision;" as "mental or spiritual illumination or enlightenment or its source; that which illumines or makes clear to the mind;" as a "visible state or condition." In connection with the last definition, it is interesting to study Jesus' command, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." It was necessary for the disciples to manifest their understanding of the truth of man's perfection as the son of God, in order that they might fulfill their Christian mission. After his resurrection Jesus gave the command, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel." This spiritually awakened consciousness enabled them to cast out devils, speak with new tongues, take up serpents, and heal the sick in accordance with the divine truth which had enlightened them.
The term "light," in its spiritual meaning, appears many times in the Bible, from the first chapter of Genesis to the final chapter of Revelation. And it is important that the student should understand light as metaphorically showing the advancing of thought out of the darkness of materiality into the realization of the state promised in the Revelator's words, "And there shall be no night there; ... for the Lord God giveth them light."
Some ancient religions attributed divinity to the sun and their adherents worshiped it. But the student of Christian Science knows from practical experience that spiritual light, which comes directly from God, is the true illumination. This divine light is pointed out by Mrs. Eddy in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 117), where she says, "God is the fountain of light, and He illumines one's way when one is obedient." The practical understanding of divinity enables us to see that, as she says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 510), "Light is a symbol of Mind, of Life, Truth, and Love and not a vitalizing property of matter."
