Jesus said in John 9:4-5 (NKJV), “I must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

The Greek word used here for light, phos, means to shine or to make manifest…” See Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #G5457.

Light in the context of our Lord’s declaration is truth and righteousness and the way to eternal life. John 14:6 (NKJV), “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” 

We are instructed by Jesus to let OUR light shine before men. Matthew 5:16 (KJV), “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” For those trying to follow in the footsteps of Christ, we are to be representatives of that light by exhibiting true Christian attributes in our daily lives. “Letting our light shine” means copying the life of Jesus so that we reflect his light to others.

In John 8:12 (NIV), Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” 

In the opposite direction, Satan represents the way to lies, darkness, and death. Darkness is often used in scripture to illustrate deceit and ignorance; for example – Isaiah 60:2 (KJV), “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: …” How well that describes the world we live in today where lies and ignorance are celebrated over truth and facts. Satan remains the god of this world. 2 Corinthians 4:4 (RSV), “…the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God.”

Light conquers darkness. When we are in complete darkness, we long for light. The same is true for Jesus’ faithful followers – they long for the light of God’s word, the Bible, to light up the path of their life so they take the right steps. Psalm 119:105 (NLT) says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” We live in a dark world with many negative influences. John 1:5 (GNT) says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out.” We can please God by shining our light in the darkness.

Thankfully, Jesus is in the process of destroying the Prince of Darkness with the bright shining of his presence. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 (YLT), “and then shall be revealed the Lawless One (the man of sin), whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth and shall destroy with the manifestation (Greek means ‘shining’) of his presence.”

When God’s kingdom is fully established on the earth, when men have passed their final test and can then live forever, there will be no more darkness of sin and ignorance. Only eternal life and light will cover the entire earth. 

Revelation 21:23-24 (ESV), “And the city (the New Jerusalem) has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.”

Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast
Episode #973: “Is Christianity Really the Light of the World?”
The role of Christianity’s light in today’s overwhelming darkness
Preview Video
CQ Rewind Show Notes