"And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness." [1 Jn 5:19]
Imagine for a moment that you walk into a house. It is late, and there are no lights on. Walking in, you obviously find it to be dark. After turning on a light, there is light. It seems simple enough, and it is; but what does this teach us spiritually? Why has The Lord fashioned our present world to work in this way? That is, that darkness is present until light comes. Without the application of light, darkness prevails. Whether it is a lamp, light, or the sun, without the application of light, darkness will envelop. If you close up a box or a room or a certain area, without a window, without a light, etc., it will remain dark. But on the contrary, if even the slightest light is applied, darkness is removed. Even the dimmest light expels darkness. Though it may not conquer all of it, even the faintest candle will dispel the darkness immediately surrounding it.
Let us look at these things spiritually. Our verse for today says, “the whole world lieth in wickedness.” This is the default state of men, and of the world: wickedness, darkness. Those without Jesus in their hearts or lives live and walk in darkness. Before Jesus, there is just darkness. Regarding Jesus’ coming it is written, “light is come into the world,” [Jn 3:19] which implies and shows us that before Jesus there was not light, for it is with/upon His coming that “light is come into the world.” And with Jesus’ coming, darkness was defeated. Wherever Jesus goes, whichever person’s life He touches, light conquers and prevails. As John wrote, “and the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness could not overcome it.” [Jn 1:5] Darkness can never overcome light. Even the dimmest light of Christ is enough to shatter and defeat the darkness.
The same holds true for each of us individually: if we follow Jesus and accept Him into our hearts, we shall have light. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, and shall have the light of life.” [Jn 8:12] And again, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” [Jn 12:46] How powerful and how wonderful Jesus’ light is, that no matter the darkness which exists, His light is stronger and better and always prevails.
So then, seeing that the world is by default in darkness, but also that light always prevails; that is, Jesus Christ who is The Light, we can draw some encouragement and application.
First, we must always shine our light. Jesus told us, “I am the light of the world,” but He also said, “ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid;” [Mt 5:14] and, “let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” [Mt 5:16] Wherever we go, we bear the glory and name of Jesus; let us therefore shine. As New Jerusalem is encouraged so let us be as well: “arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of The LORD is risen upon thee.” [Isa 60:1] The light which we carry because Christ dwells in our hearts is powerful to dispel all darkness. The darkness cannot overcome the light. And because the whole world lies in darkness, let us therefore, as Jesus did, bring light. “The people which sat in darkness saw a great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” [Mt 4:16] If we see that there is darkness where we are, The Lord has sent us as the answer, even as He sent Christ: for Christ dwells in us. And let us take courage, because no matter how dim our light is, the light of God always prevails.
Second, let us always follow and cling tightly to Jesus. For with Him there is always light. If we feel that we are in darkness, if we lack direction, if we feel lost: let us go to Christ again, for with Him there is always light. One reason that Jesus came was as The LORD said to Him through Isaiah, “that thou mayest say…to them that are in darkness, shew yourselves…” [Isa 49:9] By God’s word we may come out into the light of Jesus and find life, direction, refreshment, etc.