Importance of Walking in the Light by G. B. Thompson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 9, 1908

Importance of Walking in the Light

By G. B. Thompson

G. B. THOMPSON

The Saviour says, “Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.” To abide in the light we must continually walk in the light. This means a present, living experience. A dead experience of the past is of no value to us now. Many may be able to say, “I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.” But this will do no good unless it is a present, personal reality.

It is comparatively easy to trust in an experience of the past, to a time when we were sure that the light of the Lord’s countenance shone upon us. But this may prove a snare not only to ourselves, but to others as well. It is natural to conclude that because we were once chosen of the Lord as a leader and teacher in his work, and great blessings were brought through our labor to many souls, we are still in the light. But this is not conclusive evidence. It all depends upon whether or not we have continued to walk in the light. It is possible to change leaders imperceptibly, and thus

become a blind guide, and fall into the ditch with those who blindly follow us because we once enjoyed God’s blessing.

It is possible to enjoy great light and privileges, and then because of a failure to walk in the light, lose it all, and as a result become a body of darkness. The case of Nadab and Abihu furnishes an example of this. They enjoyed privileges that few have ever been permitted to enjoy. They were the sons of Aaron the high priest, and with the seventy elders were permitted to go up into the mount. “Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel: and they saw the God of Israel: and there was under his feet as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in his clearness. And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.” Ex. 24:9-11.

Think of it! They actually “saw the God of Israel.” What a wonderful revelation of light this must have brought to the soul. These priests of God were admitted into his very presence. Surely they will never turn away from the light, but will remain safe spiritual guides, true shepherds of the flock as long as they live. But they did not. These men, called to the sacred and holy work of the priesthood, leaders and teachers in Israel, who “saw the God of Israel,” lost the light and blessing from their hearts. “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord.” Lev. 10:1, 2.

“Next to Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu had stood highest in Israel. They had been especially honored by the Lord, having been permitted with the seventy elders to behold his glory in the mount. But their transgression was not therefore to be excused or lightly regarded. All this rendered their sin more grievous. Because men have received great light, because they have, like the princes of Israel, ascended to the mount, and been privileged to have communion with God, and to dwell in the light of his glory, let them not flatter themselves that they can afterward sin with impunity; that because they have been thus honored, God will not be strict to punish their iniquity. This is a fatal deception. The great light and privileges bestowed, require returns of virtue and holiness corresponding to the light given. Anything short of this, God can not accept. Great blessings or privileges should never lull to security or carelessness. They should never give license to sin, or cause the recipients to feel that God will not be exact with them. All the advantages which God has given, are his means to throw ardor into the spirit, zeal into effort, and vigor into the carrying out of his holy will.”—“Patriarchs and Prophets,” pages 359, 360.

What a solemn warning this is to us not to trust in a past experience as a guide, however blessed it may have been. We may have been in the light once, but in the dark now. It all turns upon whether we have continued to believe God and walk in the light.

Lucifer was once in the light. He lived in the presence of Jehovah. He was an attendant of his throne, a leader of angels, and was trusted with great and holy responsibility. He was the light-bearer of the throne, next to Christ in power and authority. For ages he was faithful to the trust reposed in him. But there came a change, imperceptible at first, and so cunning and deceitful throughout, that millions of mighty angels were deceived. He “abode not in the truth.” But under a cloak of loyalty he began a warfare against the government of heaven, and at last lost his place in heaven and became the prince of darkness.

“But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house we are, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.” Heb. 3:6.

Takoma Park, D. C.