Dictionary of Bible Themes: 4836 light, and people of God

4836 light, and people of God

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4800 Natural and supernatural phenomena » 4833 light » 4836 light, and people of God

Scripture often uses light as a symbol of the people of God, and especially the manner in which believers are able and required to reflect the glory of God in a dark world of sin.

The people of God as the light of the world

Matthew 5:14-16 See also Psalm 37:5-6; Proverbs 4:18; Proverbs 13:9; Isaiah 58:8-10; Isaiah 60:1-5; Isaiah 62:1; Daniel 12:3; Luke 2:32; Acts 13:47

Examples of believers acting as light to the world

Moses on Mount Sinai:

Exodus 34:29-30,35 2 Samuel 23:3-4 the righteous ruler, fully realised in Jesus Christ; Job 29:21-25 Job as a counsellor; John 5:35 John the Baptist; Acts 6:15 Stephen; Philippians 2:15 the Philippian church

God is the source of the light of his people

God and his law as the source of light

Psalm 27:1; Psalm 118:27 See also Judges 5:31; Job 11:13-17; Job 22:27-28; Psalm 19:8; Psalm 34:5; Psalm 56:13; Psalm 97:11; Proverbs 6:23; Ecclesiastes 8:1; Isaiah 60:19-20; John 1:5

The gospel of forgiveness as a source of light

Acts 26:17-18 See also Job 33:28-30; Psalm 112:4; Isaiah 9:2; Isaiah 29:18; Matthew 4:16; John 3:19-21; Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 5:27; Hebrews 6:4; Hebrews 10:32

The people of God are called to live in his light

Ephesians 5:8-14; 1 John 1:7 See also Psalm 36:9; Psalm 89:15; Isaiah 2:5; Luke 16:8; John 9:4; John 12:35-36; Romans 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6; 1 John 2:8-10