The Treasure of Light

The Treasure of Light
   
In 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 uses two metaphors to help followers of Christ understand what happens once they receive Christ by grace through faith. The first is the idea of treasure, which he says we contain as a result of our faith. And what is this treasure? It is the reality that the sin-filled, self-centered darkness of our hearts has been overcome through the light of Christ. And why is it that Paul would use the picture of light to help us understand what happens to us in Christ? Perhaps for two reasons . . .

First, what is explicitly obvious in the text is that Paul is comparing the light of Christ in our hearts to the creational power of Christ when he actually created light at the beginning of the universe. Paul wants us to take confidence that the same power at work in creation is at work within us. We should, therefore, not fret over or worry about or fear any circumstances, for God is the creator and sustainer of the universe. If he can create the majesty of mountains and oceans and tigers and eagles, as well as the beauty of flowers and streams and hummingbirds, not to mention the intrigue of kangaroos and penguins and rainbows, then surely we can trust that he is powerful enough to sustain us through the darkest of times.
 
Second, Paul profoundly experienced the presence of light at his own conversion on the road to Damascus. He was literally blinded by the intensity of light surrounding Jesus, who physically appeared to him. Why does Paul reference the light of Christ? Because he has seen it with his own eyes! Paul personally knows and has experienced the transforming power of Christ. And he says that this same experience has happened for all who have placed their faith in Christ, even if our own personal conversion experiences were not as outwardly dramatic as his.

And so, the picture of light is a two-fold reminder to us: a reminder that the power at work within us through Christ is the same power by which he has created the universe, and also a reminder that the same life-altering change that happened to Paul has also happened to our hearts through Christ. Thank you, Jesus, for your light that overcomes the darkness!