Together in Christ: 'Drawn to the Light' — John 3:18-21

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

There is no judgment against anyone who believes in [God's Son]. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.

— John 3:18-21 NLT

Key Thought

When our hearts long for truth and hunger to be drawn into a closer fellowship with God, we are drawn to His Light. We don't fear our sins being exposed because we come to the Light for grace [1] and commit to living in ways that more perfectly reflect God's unfailing love, gracious compassion, and righteous character. [2] We want the world to know that God has called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. [3] We want to be caught up in the nature of God's Light so that others will see Jesus and be drawn into a saving relationship with Him.

[1] Ephesians 1:1-7; Romans 5:6-11.
[2] Exodus 34:6; Psalm 48:10, 50:6, 86:15, 116:5; Luke 1:78; John 1:14, 17.
[3] 1 Peter 2:9-10.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, You are faithful, gracious, loving, holy, righteous, and full of compassion. You are "God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light." [A] Yet, dear God, You have chosen to come near to us and invite us into fellowship with You through Jesus, Your Son and our Savior, the Light of hearts. [B] Thank you! I praise you! I commit to inviting others into fellowship with You through Jesus. Amen.

[A] This quotation is from 1 Timothy 6:15-16 NIV.
[B] 2 Corinthians 4:6-10; 1 Peter 2:9-10.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

13 Related Resources by Heartlight

Doing What God Wants
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Concluding his talk with Nicodemus, Jesus said,] "All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But..."
John 3:20-21
Devo: Today's Verse
"Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the...."
John 3:20-21
Devo: Today's Verse
"Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the...."
Darkness and Light
Illustration of John 3:20-21
Inspirational illustration of John 3:20-21 -- Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what h
See All 13 Related Resources about John 3:18-21

Illustration

Illustration of John 3:18-21 NLT — There is no judgment against anyone who believes in [God's Son]. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God's one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Job 23:10-11
"He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Opening Blind Eyes'
"Dear Seeker of Truth, I was frustrated with the religious leaders who added their own regulations to the commandments of the law and made those..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Proverbs 27:6
"Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'There Are Only 2 Kingdoms: Darkness, & Light'
"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show..."

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Together in Christ