Letting His light shine 

“For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” — 2 Corinthians 4:6

The words of Paul in this verse unveil a staggering truth about the nature of God’s work in salvation. This is not merely about moral transformation or a better way of living; it is the very act of God speaking light into existence. Just as He commanded light to pierce the primordial darkness in creation, He now commands the light of His glory to shine into the dark void of human hearts. This is not a gradual dawn brought about by human effort, but the immediate and sovereign work of God’s Word, breaking into the chaos of sin and blindness.

Paul intentionally echoes Genesis 1:3: “Let there be light.” The God who spoke the first word into the universe now speaks again, not to create physical light, but to ignite the brilliance of spiritual light in those who are blind to His glory. This is our natural state apart from Christ. We live in darkness, spiritually blinded by sin and the deceptive work of the enemy, unable to see the light of the gospel or the beauty of Christ. Yet, the God of light does not leave us in this darkness. He sovereignly commands, and His light shines—not because of our striving, but because of His grace.

What is this light? It is the knowledge of the glory of God revealed in the face of Jesus Christ. Here, Paul draws us to the very center of God’s revelation. The glory of God, which in the Old Testament was veiled in clouds and hidden in the Holy of Holies, is now fully and perfectly displayed in the face of Christ. To behold Christ is to see God. In Him, the radiance of God’s nature shines forth with blinding clarity. Christ is not a partial reflection or a mere glimpse of the divine; He is the exact imprint of God’s nature, the radiance of His glory, and the full expression of His love, justice, holiness, and mercy.

But this light is not seen with physical eyes. Many saw Jesus in the flesh and did not see the glory of God in Him. This light is revealed by the Spirit, opening the eyes of our hearts to perceive Christ as the all-satisfying treasure of our souls. Without this divine work, we remain blind. With it, we see Him as He is—infinitely glorious and worthy of all worship.

When this light shines into our hearts, it transforms everything. It cannot be hidden or contained. Jesus Himself said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” The light of Christ in us is not for hoarding or dimming; it is meant to shine into the darkness around us. Yet, this is not about self-generated effort. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, we reflect the light of Christ. Our lives become mirrors, displaying His glory to a world still trapped in darkness.

This shining is both visible and vocal. We live in such a way that the glory of Christ is evident—not drawing attention to ourselves, but to Him. When we love sacrificially, forgive generously, and serve humbly, the light of Christ shines through us. And we speak, proclaiming the gospel that brought light to us, declaring with boldness and joy the One who is the source of all life and light.

Paul describes this light as a treasure carried in jars of clay. What a humbling image! We, in our frailty, are the jars—fragile, ordinary, easily cracked. And yet, within us is a treasure of infinite worth: the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. God has chosen to place this light in weak vessels so that it is clear the surpassing power belongs to Him, not to us. Our weakness, far from being a hindrance, becomes the stage upon which His strength is displayed.

When the world sees the cracks in our jars—our trials, our struggles, and even our failures—yet beholds a light that cannot be extinguished, they are drawn not to us but to the God who sustains us. This is the paradox of the Christian life: we are fragile, but His light is unbreakable.

Letting His light shine begins with beholding it. Have you gazed upon the face of Christ lately? Has the radiance of His glory captured your heart? The more we are captivated by His beauty, the more naturally we reflect His light. The Christian life is not a relentless effort to shine brighter but a deepening gaze upon the One who is light itself.

And as we behold Him, we are changed. His light fills us, spills over, and illuminates the darkness around us. This is not our work; it is His. The God who spoke light into the darkness has spoken into our hearts. We shine because He has shone on us.

So let your life proclaim what your heart has seen: the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. May your light, however fragile the vessel, draw others to the One who is worthy of all glory. To Him be the glory, forever and ever. Amen.