19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

I have a suspicion that Jesus referred to the figure of light because Nicodemus came to Him at night. Perhaps Jesus was pointing out to Nicodemus that he was hiding something. He doesn't want his fellow Jews to know that he was interested in Christ. He was afraid of losing his reputation or standing or position. He might also be afraid of what his friends will say. He wants to be accepted by others. Perhaps he is filled with pride and was too embarrassed to be taught by a country Rabbi when he was a high-ranking religious figure. Regardless, Nicodemus was a sinner too and must come to the Light.  

The new standard Jesus presented is God's standard. People who live their own way are living apart from God. People that live God's way do so with a changed heart. The light exposes our desires and not just our deeds. We are measured now by His holiness and righteousness not by our manipulative ways of judging others and ourselves. According to the law, it was wrong to kill; Jesus has a new standard telling us that when we hate, we sin. The old standard condemned adultery. The new standard said the problem begins with the lust of our hearts.  When we come the light, we find that we are needing forgiveness of the heart - not just the actions.  The Holy Spirit gives us greater awareness and power to change.    

At the beginning of creation there was chaos and darkness covered the deep. Then the Spirit moved over the face of the waters and God said let there be light and there was light.  So, in salvation there is the chaos and darkness of sin, but the Spirit of God moves and reveals to us the word of Christ, and the Word spoke. We come to Savior and we find the light.  The light of this earth comes closer. We have spring and summer again as we are closer to the sun, and that is when things grow. When the light or sun is farther away we have winter and that is when things are dormant and dead.    

Walking in the light is the same as walking according to the will of God. We have a new mind, a new understanding that sees things differently. Before Jesus comes into our lives, we never saw spiritual reality before, but now we are new creatures; “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 1 Cor. 5:17

I worked at a camp ministry for kids from Harlem and East Harlem in New York City as a summer missionary in 1968. It was started by Jim Vaus. Before Jim became a believer at a Billy Graham crusade, he was an underworld figure in Los Angeles. He was born again in 1949. His life as a wiretapper ended. He spent many weeks looking up people whom he had offended, injured, and stolen from. He returned everything he possibly could and apologized to all those whom he had offended. He sought restitution and lived his life seeking to help troubled youth.      

Jim Vaus lived by a new standard other than selfishness, money, and self-fulfillment. He was born again and lived for the Lord and eternal purposes.    

Are your sharing the light of Jesus? When we live as servants of Jesus we live by a different standard. To be born again means having a new start, all is forgotten and forgiven. It means having a new spirit that is given to us by God. It means having a new savior, Jesus Christ, by asking Him to come into our lives and be our leader. It means having a new standard - being willing to live our lives for Christ's glory.  The Gospel message doesn't have to be fully understood by the seeking soul - it only needs to be received in simple faith. Most people make this commitment by prayer and follow His command to be baptized as a witness to the world.

Dale