Unapproachable Light

by Chadwick Brewer

“Who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen” (I Timothy 6:16).

Millions of people will stop their daily lives to go and stare at the spectacle of an eclipse. Yet, they will do this with eye protection since we understand that the sun, even when largely covered by the moon, is still dangerous when gazed at directly. Even short, direct exposure can lead to permanent damage.

This should remind us of the holiness of God. He is so far above and beyond us that it resembles the sun’s unapproachable light. No one has ever seen God, for they cannot see Him and live. He is too exalted, too majestic, too holy for us. We should never forget that God is utterly astounding.

We should revere Him above all else, fear Him with trembling, hold His word as true and righteous, put our hands over our mouths, and count our best ideas as foolishness compared to His wisdom. When we consider the light of His glory and the unapproachableness of His majesty, we should repent in dust and ashes.