Walk in the Light by D. T. Bourdeau

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Feb 27, 1872

Walk in the Light

By D. T. Bourdeau

God is not a being whose word should be questioned or trifled with. When he speaks he means what he says, and we should not presume to neglect or disregard his word. Every saying that he has uttered, or caused to be written, is weighty. Every duty which he enjoins upon us, should be complied with, without asking questions. Though we may not always understand, at first, every motive that prompts the Lord to demand obedience at our hands, yet we should obey him cheerfully and without delay, knowing that his word has gone forth. The idea that God has spoken is enough. He knows what is for our best good, and the promise is that if we will do his will, we shall learn of the doctrine. He gives us light enough to take one step, and when we have taken this, light will shine far enough ahead for us to take another step. It is with us, in this respect, as with a man traveling in a dark night with a lantern. It would be very unwise for him to wait until he can see all the way before him, before commencing to travel in it. Light is to increase on our pathway throughout our Christian course. Should we decide not to obey God until we enjoy the whole light of divine truth, we would never walk in the path of obedience.

Every additional ray of divine light brings with it additional responsibility; and we should walk in the light, lest the light that is in us become darkness, and lest darkness and hardness of heart come upon us. To-day, if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. The hardening of the heart is a gradual work. It is done by seemingly small deviations from the right. But it will be found at last that it is the little foxes which spoil the vine, and that none of God's prohibitions or injunctions are unimportant. They all contain broad and eternal principles, and their neglect must be followed by terrible consequences.

We should walk in the light because in so doing, we glorify God and benefit our own souls. We should walk in the light because it is only when we are in the light that we can reflect light upon others, that they may be led to glorify our Father who is in Heaven. We should not live merely for ourselves. We all have an influence, and that influence should tell on the side of truth. We either gather with Christ or scatter abroad. What unutterable anguish will those experience in whose garments shall be found the blood of souls.

We should not wait until others obey the Lord, and the way is made easier, before walking in the light ourselves. It is when light comes to us that we are to walk in it, and become, as it were, stepping-stones for others to walk in the way of obedience. Of course if we are the first to see duty, it is expected that we will be the first to perform it, and unless we obey first, our influence must be a hindrance to the cause instead of a help. And if we excuse ourselves others will think they have plausible reasons to excuse themselves; and what will become of the bleeding cause of truth?

It is noble indeed to be pioneers in the cause of truth. What a satisfaction it will be to have stood by the truth when it needed help—when its friends were few. What a rich reward such will receive. They will be rewarded according to their works and sacrifices. But what shame will come upon those who have shunned the cross, and studied to get to Heaven without suffering with Christ.

D. T. BOURDEAU.