Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” – John 8:12.
I have always viewed this statement of Jesus in the negative. I thought the emphasis was to be placed on, “Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness,” but that’s not his point. The point is that he is the light, and whoever follows him will have the light of life.
Do you see it? “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus is inviting you to embrace His presence, which fills your life with purpose and hope.
In this verse, Jesus was comparing and contrasting darkness with light. Note the tiny little “but” in this verse. Actually, it’s a huge “but.” It’s the same “but” that Paul used in Romans where he said, “For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” – Romans 5:7-8. It’s this same Greek word, “kai,” that Jesus used to contrast darkness with light. To clarify the depth of the meaning of this word, in English, it could be rendered as “instead.” “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, instead will have the light of life.” This “instead” highlights the transformation Jesus offers, replacing fear and uncertainty.
Fear-Thinking
Again, I used to think that the emphasis of this verse was not on the Light that Jesus brings into our darkness, but rather on the limitations I would have if I followed Jesus. I was a fear-thinker. Fear-thinking is the practice of thinking with fear as the foundation for the decisions you make. For example, “If you follow Jesus, you will not be able to ____________” (you fill in the blank). For those who fear-think, the list is unbelievably long, it never gets shorter, and only gets longer with time. Fear-thinking traps you in a cycle of doubt, making you focus on what you might lose instead of what Jesus gives.
Are you a fear-thinker? Do you live in fear, make “safe” choices out of the fear of the unknown? If so, you are limiting yourself from all that God designed you to be. Jesus is the light to your darkness. Darkness flees in the presence of light. Try it out. Flick the light switch on in a dark room and see what happens. So too, darkness cannot coexist with light. God’s light overwhelms darkness every time. When you let fear guide your choices, you miss the freedom and joy of walking in Jesus’ light.
Light of Life Thinking
A Light of Life thinker takes Jesus at His word when He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” This person knows that Jesus permeates all darkness and rules over all situations. Nothing takes Him by surprise. This individual places his trust in the word of God and not in his emotions. He is governed by the Word of God, not by how he feels. The Word dictates his thinking, his circumstances don’t. This way of thinking is steeped in God-confidence. It does not hope, it knows, like a son knows his father will catch him with open arms when he jumps from a swing. This confidence comes from trusting God’s promises, not your feelings. Embrace this child-like faith, He won’t drop you. Take Him at His word. The more you trust Him, the more you reflect His light. Light of Life thinking empowers you to live boldly, knowing Jesus is with you in every step.
Overcoming Fear with Light
How do you shift from fear-thinking to Light of Life thinking? Start by focusing on Jesus’ promises. Speak His promises aloud, like a child trusting a parent’s care. This practice drives out darkness and fills you with His light.
Living in His Light
To live in Jesus’ light, make time each day to talk with Him and read His Word. When distractions or fears arise, take a breather and recall His promises. Avoid dwelling on negative thoughts that fuel fear. Instead, fill your mind with worship and prayer.
The Impact of Following Jesus
Following Jesus transforms your life. His light not only frees you from fear but also makes you a beacon for others. When you live as a Light of Life thinker, your words and actions reflect His heart. Imagine the impact on your family or friends when they see your trust in Jesus. Reject fear-thinking, follow Jesus, and let His light fill you with life.