“Needs further explanation” my editor commented in the margin of my book manuscript, “The general public will not understand this phrase even though it’s in the Bible.” Again and again, she forced me to creatively explain Biblical phrases that seem second nature to Christians. Phrases such as: “In Jesus’s name, justified by faith, lay hands on, glorify the Lord, crucify the flesh, God spoke, or born again.” We say these things but we might not know what they mean or how to live them out. One of these phrases caused me to pause in my study of Isaiah.

Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the LORD.

Isaiah 2:5 NIV

What does it mean to walk in the light of the Lord? And how do we do this practically?

Scripture itself illuminates this concept in many other places (emphasis added):

• The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. (Is 9:2 NIV)
• God is light; in him is no darkness at all. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. (1 Jn 1: 5, 7 NIV)
• When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (Jn 8:12 NIV)
• For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life. (Ps 56:13 NIV)
• Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD. (Ps 89:15 NIV)
• Who among you fears the LORD and obeys his servant? If you are walking in darkness without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God. (Is 50:10 NLT)
• Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16 NIV)
• For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Eph 5:8–10 NIV
• The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. (Is 60:19 NIV)

In scripture, to walk indicates more than just moving one’s legs. It means to live, to conduct one’s life. Light is a way of categorizing goodness, righteousness, and truth in contrast to darkness or evil. And of course, the Lord refers to both God and his son, Jesus.

Therefore, the scriptures above teach us how to walk in the light?

• Follow (believe in, imitate) Jesus
• Let him deliver us from death and purify us
• Acclaim (publicly praise) him
• Revere and obey him
• Trust and rely on him
• Practice good deeds
• Do what is good, right, and true
• Learn what pleases the Lord

I propose ‘to walk in the light’ is to conduct one’s life in such as way as to produce the fruit of the light—goodness, righteousness, and truth. In other words, to become more and more like the one who is true light, to live the way he enlightens and follow the steps he illuminates.

How are you walking in the light?

PRAYER

Lord, I have heard this phrase all my life and I’m trying to walk in your light. I follow you, I publicly praise you, and I’m growing in my reliance upon you. Help me to choose what is good, right, and true. Help me to keep walking in your light.