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THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 13, 1900

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 46.

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THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

By John Norton Loughborough

“Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Eph. 5: 25-27.
It is the clearly revealed purpose of our Saviour that those professing his name shall be, in their lives, living representatives of his truth and character. He said of his church, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill can not be hid. . . . Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matt. 5:14-16. That this purpose might be accomplished in his people was the burden of that memorable prayer of our Lord just before his betrayal: “The glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” John 17:22, 23.
The world by right looks to those professing to be Christians for an example of what should be manifest if “the meekness and gentleness of Christ” was really in them. Of one company thus consecrated to God the apostle Paul said, “Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men.” 2 Cor. 3:2. It is to this high and holy work of letting the character of Christ be wrought in us that we are called; for, says the apostle, “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people [“a purchased people,” margin]; that ye should show forth the praises [“virtues,” margin] of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9. That this might be accomplished, “Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.” Verses 21-23.
In the lives of those in whom Christ is thus working will be seen “bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel [“complaint,” margin] against any: even as Christ forgave you, so do ye.” Col. 3:12, 13.
Such persons will do as expressed in the Ephesian letter: “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Eph. 4:31, 32.
How else could it be known that the heart is imbued with that first fruit of the Spirit, “charity” — love — that “suffereth long, and is kind; . . . seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil” (1 Cor. 13:4, 5), if it be not that the person heeds the instruction “to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men”? Titus 3:2.
Of the many scriptures exhorting us to this manner of life, note the following: “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:3-5. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another.” “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Rom. 12:10, 18. “Walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Eph. 4:1-3.
Those who are seeking by the grace of God to live in harmony with these scriptures will be the better prepared to adopt the following divine instruction: “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” Rom. 12:16. “Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8, 9. “All of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.” 5:5. “I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Cor. 1:10.
As it is “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 12:34), it is plainly to be seen that in order to have our mind and words right toward our brethren and sisters, there must be other and better food for thought than their supposed failings: so the apostle has given us a grand lesson on this point in the following text: “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK on these things.” Phil. 4:8.
In direct harmony with this we read in the testimonies of the Spirit of God: “To be a Christian means culture after the divine character. That mind which was in Christ Jesus can not be correctly represented by untrained powers, which result in an unfurnished mind. . . . Passion manifested by a professed Christian is a denial of Christ; it gives victory to Satan, and enthrones him in the heart. Such a man gives testimony to the world that Satan has more power over him than has Christ. His words, spirit, and character testify that the molding and fashioning hand of Satan is upon him, making of him a vessel that will dishonor God. . . .”
“We are here on probation, in training for the higher life. All heaven is waiting to co-operate with those who will be subordinate to the ways and will of God. God gives grace, and he expects all to use it. He supplies the power if the human mind feels any need or any disposition to receive. He never asks us to do anything without supplying the grace and power to do that very thing. All his biddings are enablings. . . .”
“Evil passions, envy, evil surmisings, jealousy, accusing of the brethren, can not be indulged without denying Christ.” — Review and Herald, Nov. 9, 1897.
“Deal tenderly and graciously with every soul, and especially deal tenderly with those who are liable to err. They, of all others, need your help the most. Never take up a report against a brother or a neighbor, or harbor evil surmisings against him. . . .”
“Instead of looking for the faults of our brother, let us seek for every redeeming quality, obtain his confidence, come close to the one who needs his hands upheld, his feeble knees strengthened.” — Id., Oct. 24, 1893. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.