Why do people reject the light and stay in darkness instead of coming to God?
People reject the light because they love darkness rather than light, since their deeds are evil. Those who do evil hate the light and do not come to it, lest their deeds be reproved. Scripture further shows that man in his own desire will never seek God; God is the seeker who brings sinners to believe.
Les explains that the passage gives the reason plainly: the light has come into the world and lights every man, yet men love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil. Every one who does evil hates the light and will not come to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. By contrast, the one who believes the truth comes to the light so that his deeds may be made manifest as wrought in God. Les calls this proof positive that man in his own desire will never seek God; God is the seeker. He warns believers not to take credit for finding salvation, because God found them and brought them to the place where they believe. He illustrates with Lydia, whose heart God opened—not Paul. He also recalls Peter in Matthew 16, where Jesus asked who men said He was, and after various answers asked whom they said He was; Peter answered, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
More Questions
Why do those who do evil not come to the light?
Everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.