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The Light of the World

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

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 40, No. 11.

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The Light of the World.

By A. S. Hutchins

“YE are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” Matt. 5:14. Thus the Son of God addresses his disciples. How divinely exalted the position of the humble followers of Jesus! The few who unreservedly consecrate themselves to God, and constantly labor to glorify him and advance his precious cause through sacrifice and self-denial, and scorn and reproach from without, evince that they are living branches of the “true vine.” The Creator of the heavens and the earth holds them in a high and sacred estimation. He is their God and they are his people. Such are the light of the world.
Their communion is with God, who “is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” And they have fellowship with his dear Son, “the true light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” Standing in close and holy connection with the Father and Son, the church become reflectors of the divine rays of heavenly light, as the moon reflects the light of the sun.
Sin and rebellion, moral darkness and spiritual death, are every where in the world. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises (or virtues, margin) of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Pet. 2:9. What language can more strongly express the favor of God toward his people? or their duty to reflect back his love and favor upon the world, from whence they are chosen?
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Phil. 2:15.
The sacred volume of inspiration unfolds to the people of God, the promise of inconceivable blessings, affording untold comfort and consolation in the deepest trials and afflictions. It is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Through the channel of a living and consecrated church, the Lord addresses the world. Through them, beams of divine light and truth are sent out to guide anxious souls to the haven of endless rest, as the towering light-house of Eddy-stone directs the storm-stricken mariner to a port of safety. “Ye are the light of the world.” As the lighted candle or lamp is designed to give light unto all that are in the house, so should the disciples of Christ, ever, and everywhere, let their light shine. Sacred, refining, and saving truths are committed to the servants of the Lord. A practical demonstration of which will go much farther toward winning and saving souls than much talk upon the theory thereof. “For it is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.”
God sends forth his people into his vineyard, not to sit in idleness, but to save souls, to gather with the Master, “to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified.” Acts 26:18. How exalted the work, though feeble the instrumentality. But inexpressibly great the result with him who goeth forth guided by the wisdom of Heaven, leaning for strength upon the all-powerful arm of Him who hath called him.
“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
“This hope cheers the prospect that’s gloomy and drear, And points to the haven of rest that is near.”
On faith and obedience, light should constantly and incessantly shine out from the church. A living faith in God and the holy Bible will lead its possessor to a life of devotion and obedience. Faith and works go hand in hand. Present truth reveals present duty. The last sound of mercy to the last generation of men is now heard in the proclamation of the third angel’s message. Rev. 14:9–12. This message requires obedience to the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
The down-trodden Sabbath of the fourth commandment is being restored. How many professors, and even ministers, say, “I would keep the seventh day if the majority did.” But he who sanctified the Sabbath in Eden, and commands its observance, calls for tried men, men of moral courage and fortitude, who will stand by the right, even though in the minority. Light on the law of God must be borne to a world lying in darkness. Who will let his light shine with reference to this all-important truth?
Jesus is quickly coming. The welcome tidings are sounding. The response of an obedient and faithful church is, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Here the church are not in darkness. “Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” 1 Thess. 5:4, 5.
As Noah was warned of the approaching flood, and prepared an ark to the saving of his house, thereby escaping the doom of the ungodly, and as the disciples, through faith in the warning given by Jesus, escaped the impending judgments which hung over Jerusalem, utterly destroying that devoted city, and the unbelieving and disobedient Jews by tens of thousands, so will the remnant church have faith in the signs which unmistakably herald the coming of the Son of man, and make the needful preparation to welcome him with joy and gladness. They “look for him,” and “love his appearing.”
“Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent, that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot and blameless.” An intelligent and consistent faith in the immediate coming of Jesus will awaken the believer to a vivid sense of the importance of a preparation of heart to meet him in peace. To be cleansed from all sin, to have a sanctified heart and life, guileless lips, and a faultless tongue, we must be “purified, and made white, and tried.”
This blessed hope is not a wild and delusive theory, as popular professors regard it. No; it leads to a close examination of the heart, of every motive by which we are actuated, and to the putting away of all evil, in thought, word, and deed. “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” 1 John 3:3. Oh, what a work to get right in the sight of the great Searcher of hearts! And yet there is time, and the means and helps ample and abundant, if we walk in the light as it shines upon our pathway. Says the apostle, in speaking of the last church, “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 5:23.
Now the glorious light of the concluding message of mercy must be carried to those who sit in darkness and in the region and shadow of death. It must shine forth in the sacrifice, self-denial, consecration, humility, love, watchfulness, and prayer, of the true church. The end is near! Souls must and can be reached by the light of revealed truth. They can be turned from sin and transgression, from the traditions and long-cherished errors of the present age. They can be brought to love God, to honor his righteous precepts, and reverence and keep his holy Sabbath. He bids his people move out in faith, and he will attend by divine power, in winning souls to him. An inestimable reward lies before the faithful.
“They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” Who would not suffer with Jesus now, with the promise of reigning with him in the kingdom of God? Who would not hear the words, as they fall from his lips with accents superlatively sweet, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”? There all the ransomed of the Lord meet to part no more. No tears nor death there. My soul says, It is enough. Praise the Most High for some humble place with his dear people here, in hope of rest in Heaven; “of an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away.” A. S. HUTCHINS.