Throughout the Bible the word "light" is frequently used to signify spiritual understanding. Here light refers to that illumination of thought which reveals the true nature of God to the human consciousness. To gain this understanding of God and to walk as a child of light is the desire of every sincere Christian.
The greatest effulgence of spiritual light the world had ever known was kindled when Christ Jesus was born, and this light has continued to expand in ever-increasing measure. The Master brought to the darkened thought of his time the comforting truth that God is the Father of all, and this truth includes the brotherhood of man. Jesus exemplified and demonstrated this same truth in his healing work and told his followers (John 8:12), "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."
This light of life regenerated and transformed the lives of those who accepted the Master's teaching, and he urged them to express in a practical way the truths they had learned. After assuring them that they also were the light of the world, the great Teacher advised them (Matt. 5:16), "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." They were obedient to this injunction, and in the book of Acts it is recorded that after the Master's ascension these faithful followers healed the sick, preached the gospel, established churches, and verified their calling "as children of light."
