"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17).

James introduces a unique name for God. In what sense is our Creator the "Father of lights"? The phrase recalls God's act on the first day of creation. Genesis 1:3-4 states: "And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good. . . ." Without light, there could be no life as we know it upon the earth. God's very first gift to the primeval earth was the good gift of light.

The Gospel of John discusses another gift of light--the incarnate Word. "In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not" (John 1:4-5). Christ's incarnation brought the light of God's love and salvation. He revealed who God is and illuminated a dark world. Isaiah 9:2 prophesied: "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined." Christ claimed to be the fulfillment of this promised gift of light. "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).

But God has given the darkened world yet one more light, and that was the testimony of the church, the corporate body of believers in each age and each nation. Each believer is to be a light to the world around him, much as Christ was when He walked this earth. "Ye are the light of the world. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:14,16). DW