WALK IN THE LIGHT

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Nov 30, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 47.

“WALK IN THE LIGHT.”

THE scripture says of Christ that He was “the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:9. In the very beginning of the practical working of the plan of salvation the Lord put enmity between Satan and the woman, together with her offspring. Gen. 3:15. This enmity, coupled with the light bestowed upon the race, was sufficient to lead every one to salvation who would cultivate the enmity, and walk in the light. If men would act on this principle, the light on their pathway would brighten day by day, and their hatred of evil would continually become stronger.

What God requires of us is that we walk in the light. By so doing “we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. But if we do not improve the gifts we receive from God, He takes away that which we have. So we are taught by the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. Again, if we do not walk in the light of God’s Word, it will not shine on our way, or within our hearts. Then, says the Master, “If therefore the light that is in you be darkness, how great is that darkness!”

It is true that God does not require any more of a person than is shown to him by the light of truth. But many take advantage of this fact, and say, Then it is better not to have any more light, because it only increases our obligation. On this theory they argue that it is folly to enlighten the heathen any more, as they are walking in all the light they have. But that style of argument is perversive of truth. The heathen are walking in darkness; they have no light. They have thrown away their light by worshiping false gods. Light does not lead them that way. “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Rom. 1:21. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, “God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” Verse 28.

But those who love light will not only walk in the light, but they will always rejoice in more light. If one does not gladly accept additional light on God’s Word, it is because he does not appreciate the measure of light he has, and is not walking in it. The Jews had been the recipients of great light, but when He who was Light itself—He who was the Light of the world—came to them, they rejected Him. Had they been walking in the light of the Scriptures which they professed to believe, they would have rejoiced in the increase of light. Their father Abraham saw Christ’s day by faith, “and was glad.” John 8:56. But at the time of His personal advent, it is said, “In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” John 1:4, 5.

When we admit that men who have died in faith while observing Sunday as a sabbath will be saved, some people take advantage of the admission, and say, Then why should any one change? If one may be saved while observing Sunday, why may not another? This reply is a mere subterfuge to ward off the light on the Sabbath question. It does not come of a desire for further light on the Word of God, but of a disposition to evade the obligation to obey the letter and spirit of the law of God, of which Jesus said not one jot or one tittle should pass away.

Light is increasing as we approach the “perfect day,” when men, in order to be accepted of Christ, must stand without blemish before that law whose transgression is sin. 1 John 3:4; Rom. 7:7. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul” (Ps. 19:7), and the character, to whose righteousness it is to witness in the day of judgment, must be in harmony with its provisions, through faith in the Law-giver. “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov. 4:18. Therefore there is greater responsibility as we come nearer and nearer to the perfect mark, as we see the day of the Lord approaching.

But, as it was at the first advent, so now, “this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth [is really walking in the light that he has known] cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” John 3:19-21. If there is any mistake that he has been making in honest endeavor to serve God, he wants to know it, that he may be set right. Such an one, tho he may have been out of harmony with the law in practise, rejoices in the light that enables him to straighten his course. As David says, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Ps. 119:105. “Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” Verse 34.

The earnest desire of the true Christian is to know the will of God, that he may do it, no matter what the cross may be. See Ps. 40:7, 8; Acts 9:6.