John 1:4 

“In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” — John 1:4 

We talk a lot about “living our best life.” But what is life, really?

The word life appears thirty-six times in the Gospel of John more than twice as often as in all the other Gospels combined. John wants us to understand that this “life” is not a concept or a feeling, it’s a Person. It is always pointing to Jesus Christ.

John is declaring that Christ is the very source of all life both physical and spiritual. He is the giver of breath, the sustainer of existence, and the redeemer who restores what sin has broken. We can only find, feel, experience, and truly live life in Christ. Nothing in this world can give us life.

John continues, “The life was the light of men.” Here, life and light are tied together. Christ doesn’t just give us existence; He gives us meaning, direction, and hope.

The first thing light does is reveal. When we enter into a dark room, we turn on the light to see what’s there.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined” – Isaiah 9:2.

We are living in spiritual darkness. We are ignorant about God, trapped in the lies of the devil and blinded by sin. Yet Jesus came to restore life by bringing light into us.

Remember, He is the Word of God and the Word use to declare, Jesus declare God once more, to bring Him back to our remembrance, to make Him known to us. Now that God has been made known, His light shines before men. He brightens our dark path so that we become aware that we were walking toward destruction and now we stop walking in the path of darkness. Awakening us to the truth of our condition and showing us the way to life. His light warms the heart and renews the mind, bringing transformation from within.

This awakening is what Jesus meant when He said,

“I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in Me may not remain in darkness.” – John 12:46.

We also know that light not only reveals and warms but also guides.  Now that we are walking with Jesus  we are no longer stumbling in the dark. He said,

“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

Through His Word, becomes the lamp that lights our path and the compass that directs our steps. We are no longer walk as we once did, for His presence guides us in truth and righteousness.

Light also brings life. Just as sunlight nourishes and strengthens living things, the light of Christ sustains our spiritual growth. As He continues to dwell within us, His life flows through us.

Now that we are truly living in His light, we begin to reflect His light to the people around us. They begin to see true life in us, a life that shines. They sense the warmth of His presence in us and drawn to that same source of life make them want to find the same source of warmth. Then, we then begin to guide them to Jesus to the One who can bring life to them as well.

John makes it clear that we can only have life through the Lord Jesus Christ. As a person who has experienced this truth, I can testify that I only began to truly feel alive and live life when I received Christ into my heart.

If you are seeking life, only Jesus can give it to you. No other person, no possession, and nothing in this world can offer the life that He alone provides.