“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19 NKJV)
The Greek word translated as “the world” in the New Testament is “Kosmos.”
It has various meanings or implications in the Bible.
First, Kosmos speaks of “an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government.”
Second, Kosmos depicts “the arrangement of the stars, the heavenly hosts, as the ornament of the heaven.”
Third, Kosmos refers to “the world, the universe, the circle of the earth, the earth.”
Fourth, it refers to “the earth’s inhabitants, men, or the human family.”
Fifth, the New Testament often describes Kosmos as “the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ.”
Sixth, it represents “the Gentiles as contrasted to the Jews.”
Lastly, it also implies “world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly, the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc., which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ” (BLB Lexicon).
The Scripture clearly states that the world is in darkness.
The Lord Jesus Christ said, “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.” (John 12:46 NKJV).
What sort of darkness?
What is the source of darkness in the world?
What are the implications of the world abiding in darkness?
How can you have light amid the darkness of this world?
Let us explore the Scripture for correct answers to these crucial questions.
The New Testament Greek word for “darkness” is “Skotos.” The Bible uses it metaphorically to describe “ignorance of divine things and human duties, and the accompanying wickedness, ungodliness, and immorality, together with their consequent misery in hell.”
“Skotos” also describes “persons in whom darkness becomes visible and holds sway” (BLB Lexicon).
Despite overwhelming proof in history and the Bible, many people still don’t recognize, believe, or accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
What a profound ignorance!
John testifies to Christ’s rejection by the world.
John 1:9-11 – NKJV
9 That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
John 3:17-20 – NKJV
17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
Anyone who does not acknowledge and surrender to Jesus Christ as his Saviour abides in gross darkness.
Paul reveals that the princes of this world, who persecuted and crucified the Lord Jesus Christ, were all fools, utterly ignorant of God’s wisdom.
1 Corinthians 2:7-8 – NKJV
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
All the rulers or princes of the world today, who are still opposing the cause of Christ and persecuting His Church, are a bunch of fools – men who are ignorant of God’s wisdom.
Sin is the source or cause of the darkness in the world. God’s life in Adam, the first man, was the light of the world. The Scripture reveals that God’s life is the light of men (John 1:4).
Therefore, when Adam became alienated from the life of God through his disobedience, the entire world was thrown into gross darkness.
Everyone in the world remained in gross darkness until Jesus Christ (God’s life manifested in the flesh) came into the world, bringing light into the world again.
The Scripture said of Jesus, “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4 NKJV).
John the Baptist boldly and publicly bore witness that Jesus Christ was “the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world.” (John 1:9 NKJV).
The Lord Jesus also clearly states that He is the light of the world.
John 12:46 – NKJV
46 “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.
John 9:5 – NKJV
5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
John 12:36 – NKJV
36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.
Sadly, the world refused to acknowledge and embrace Jesus Christ (the true Light), which came to give light to the world (John 1:10-12).
The implications or consequences of the world’s rejection of Jesus Christ (the true Light), whom God sent into the world, are significant. Let us consider some of them.
First, the world is now without any excuse before God:
In His love, God has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, as the Light of the world to give God’s light (true and divine understanding) to everyone (John 1:9, 12:46).
If you reject Jesus Christ (the true Light), you have chosen to remain in your spiritual ignorance (darkness), and you are now without any excuse before God on the great day of Judgement (Rom. 1:20).
Second, the world is now condemned before God:
God’s intention in sending His Son into the world was not to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved (John 3:17). However, those who choose not to believe in, receive, and surrender to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour are condemned already.
John 3:17-19 – NKJV
17 “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18 “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 “And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
Third, the world is without God’s wisdom and thus foolish before God:
Only fools reject God’s gift of eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus. Having rejected Jesus Christ (the Wisdom of God), the wisdom of this world became foolishness before God (1 Cor. 3:19).
The smartest, wisest, or richest unbeliever is a fool before God. Therefore, it is gross foolishness for believers to envy the unbelievers or seek to live by the wisdom or principles of this world (Col. 2:20-22).
Fourth, God has given the world up to a reprobate mind and vile passions:
Since the world did not like to retain God in their knowledge, the Scripture said, “God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” (Rom. 1:28 NKJV).
“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves.” (Rom. 1:24 NKJV).
This is why gruesome murder, rape, homosexuality, lesbianism, bestiality, and all sorts of immoralities and abominations have become commonplace worldwide.
Beloved, the world is full of all sorts of evils and abominations today because of rejecting Jesus Christ, the Light of the world. When you reject Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, you have chosen to continue to walk and grope in darkness.
Friend, are you tired of walking and abiding in darkness?
Believe, receive, and confess Jesus Christ (the true Light) as your Lord and Saviour today, and begin to follow Him; you will no longer walk or abide in darkness.
The Lord Jesus assures, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (John 8:12 NKJV).
Prayer: My Dear Heavenly Father, I believe, confess, and surrender to Jesus Christ, the true Light of the world, as my personal Lord and Saviour today. Therefore, I have the light of life and will never again walk in darkness in Jesus’ name. Amen.