John 1:9 - True Light

As contrasted with "False Light" (Romans 2:19, above), the Bible describes "the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man." (John 1:9, New American Standard, 1995)

How do we identify "true light?" It involves at least two elements:

1. Jesus is the Savior of the world.
Many claim to be "true light," --either replacing Jesus Christ, or making Him just part of a list of "alternative, possible beliefs."  That's in contrast to what we read in the Bible:

John 14:6 Jesus said ... “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."

1 John 2:23 "Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also."

But believing things about God isn't enough. After all,
"You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder." (James 2:19) 

2. Love is the other identifying mark of "True Light."
Going back to 1 John 2,
1 John 2:9–10 "The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him."

That needs further clarification, though, since there are many definitions for "love." 1 John says that love doesn't just talk, it acts "in deed and in truth" (3:18) It is not only giving, it is FORgiving. (2:12) Since Jesus, the Light of the World, came to reconcile people to God, we reflect that when we can join Jesus in praying, "Father, forgive them..." That kind of love seeks to reconcile people with God, and with each other.

Father, When there are so many voices claiming to tell the truth, let us lean on Jesus as the True Light of the world. In turn, motivate us to love others as we've been loved; to forgive as we've been forgiven. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.