Walk in the Light by F. M. W.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 12, 1911

Walk in the Light

By F. M. W.

“Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you.” The Jews to whom these words were primarily addressed, failed to heed this admonition of the Saviour. They walked in the paths of their own choosing, and walking thus, they were led to mistake the light of human wisdom for the light of God. Their end was utter darkness. From being conservators of God’s truth through the ages, and a nation of whom the great Light-bearer was born into the world, they became separated from God, and others were raised up to do the work which they might have accomplished.

The lesson is for us to-day equally with them. God has bestowed upon us as a people great light. He has given to us a knowledge of the times in which we live. The unfolding page of prophecy is open to our understanding. Precious principles of truth shine forth from the Sacred Word. The second coming of Christ, the perpetuity and obligation of God’s eternal law, the nature and destiny of man, the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ in behalf of the human family, the sanctuary and the closing scenes in that sanctuary as represented in the investigative judgment, the principles of religious liberty, revealing the attitude which should be taken toward the proposed union of church and state, the perpetuity and manifestation in the remnant church of spiritual gifts, the Scriptural method of supporting the gospel ministry, the principles of Christian temperance and healthful living,—this great system of truth forms a sure foundation on which we may safely rest.

In theory we believe it all, and rest on it securely, but beyond this in importance is the question whether we live and exemplify these principles of truth in our lives; in other words, Are we walking in the light which God has given us as individuals and as a denomination? Does the hope of Christ’s soon coming stir our hearts as it did twenty years ago? Does the returning of the weekly Sabbath bring to us joy and blessing in our experience? Do we find in the ministry of Christ our Saviour, constant satisfaction, joy in the forgiveness of sins and in divine acceptance? Are we cherishing in a practical way in our homes the principles of Christian temperance, showing our thankfulness for the light which God has given us as a people?

The way we can answer these and other questions which might be raised with reference to our attitude toward the truth we profess to believe, really determines after all, our real spiritual standing. Our lives are demonstrating to our fellows, and to the universe of God, whether or not we really believe the Lord is coming. By our business transactions, by our dress, by the furnishing of our homes, by the food placed upon our tables from day to day, by our beneficences, by our plain, ordinary, every-day life we are either demonstrating the genuineness of our faith or giving the lie to our profession. Which are we doing?

Let us sit down alone with God, and consider if we who read these lines are individually walking in the light God has given us. Are we true to our profession as believers in the near coming of the Lord? are we walking in the light of God blamelessly? are we doing every day the best we know? Is the earnest purpose of our lives to walk in every ray of light which God has let fall upon our pathway?

Without this settled purpose, without a complete surrender of our ways to God, and an acceptance of his ways, we can never gain perfection through his grace. We may confess the sin of a moment, the impulsive word, the hasty judgment, but how can we stand before God with divided hearts, or with unsettled purposes? how can we lift up our heads in prayer when our own hearts rise to condemn us, and we are conscious of willing and persistent wrong-doing?

O, let us turn to him with full purpose of heart! Let us take the blessed light which he has given us, and cherish it in every detail: doing this, and living from day to day in all good conscience, we can plead his promises with an assurance which will know no denial. Walking in the light, we shall not be left in darkness. F. M. W.