6 There was a man named John,24 who was sent by God. 7 He came to tell people about the light. Through him all people could hear about the light and believe. 8 John was not the light. But he came to tell people about the light. 9 The true light was coming into the world. This is the true light that gives light to all people. 10 The Word was already in the world. The world was made through him, but the world did not know him. 11 He came to the world that was his own. And his own people did not accept him. 12 But some people did accept him. They believed in him, and he gave them the right to become children of God. 13 They became God’s children, but not in the way babies are usually born. It was not because of any human desire or plan. They were born from God himself.
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“Jesus gives light to everyone by letting you buy it from the grocery store.” Omar, 5
“Jesus came into the world to tell people the truth.” Shelby, 10
“Jesus gives light to the world because he is the light. He is the way, the truth and the light.” Shoshanna, 6
“Jesus gives his light to everyone by sending witnesses out into the world to spread his light.” Clarissa, 12
“Jesus gives light to everyone by giving them the choice to accept him and not forcing them to receive him. If they do receive him, they will be rewarded with light in their souls, and they will have hope.” Jonathan, 8
“Jesus spread the light through prophets, such as John (in John 1:6-13). Now Jesus spreads the light by the Bible and by Christians who preach to the world. Jesus also spread the light when he came to earth; he exposed the light to the darkness. The light is righteousness, and the darkness is unrighteousness.” Stephen Brackley, 10
The Apostle John says about Jesus: “The true Light was coming into the world. This is the true Light that gives light to all people” (John 1:9).
Believing lies about God will keep you from knowing the truth that will set you free. The Bible says most people live in spiritual darkness because they believe lies about God.
Jesus said, “I am the way. I am the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
Jesus is like light. Just as the sun gives light to everyone in the world, Jesus gives spiritual light to anyone who looks to him. The Apostle Matthew called Jesus a great light that shines upon people who sit in darkness (Matthew 4:16).
Imagine how silly it would be if people decided to live underground in caves, and then blamed God for not providing sunlight. That’s what happens when people say, “What about the people who have never heard of Jesus Christ?” They may have never heard the name of Jesus, but they have seen his work in creation.
Also, all people know right from wrong because God gave them a conscience. Sometimes your conscience will act like a little voice in your head that speaks to you when you are about to do something wrong.
Have you ever been to a big, beautiful place such as Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming or the island of Maui in Hawaii? When we see a very beautiful place, it should make us wonder about the power and greatness of the God who made it.
When missionaries travel to people groups who live in jungles or mountain villages, they often discover that those people have been looking for God. Sometimes they pray and ask God to send them someone who can tell them about God. One man had a dream about someone with a black book that would tell them about God. His dream came true when a missionary came with a Bible that had a black cover.
Some people look at creation and want to know more about God. Other people look at creation and imagine that it all happened by accident. If I tried to tell you that your bicycle or computer came together by accident, you would think I was crazy. Many things in God’s creation are far more complex than a bicycle or computer. When people reject the spiritual light God gives them through creation, they begin to believe even bigger lies (Romans 1:18-32).
Jesus told his disciples, “You are the light that gives light to the world” (Matthew 5:14). Every Christian should know that God is always working in the lives of all people to prepare them to receive the good news about Jesus Christ. God wants to use you to tell others that they can live with God forever by believing that Jesus is God’s only son who died for our sins and rose from the dead. God wants all people to know about his love for them.
God wants the light of his truth and love to shine brightly in your life. John the Baptist is a good example of someone who pointed others to Jesus Christ. As long as you point people to Jesus by telling them about his love for them and his offer of eternal life, you will be faithful to God.
Think about this: Think of God’s creation and our conscience as God’s spotlights that point us to Jesus. His sacrifice for our sins is like a laser light that shines into our hearts.
Memorize this truth: ”The true Light was coming into the world. This is the true Light that gives light to all people” (John 1:9).
Ask this question: Do you know Jesus as the light of your life?
© Copyright 2000- 2023 Carey Kinsolving