LIGHT VERSUS DARKNESS by J. E. Evans

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 19, 1895

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 21, No. 37.

LIGHT VERSUS DARKNESS.

By J. E. Evans

BY J. E. EVANS.

In the Physical World.

LIGHT is opposed to darkness, and, in its operations and effects, it is clearly seen that it is governed by a distinct and particular law. In creation, light preceded animal and vegetable life. Light will cause and preserve life; but where total darkness remains, the property of life is inactive, and life finally becomes extinct. The results plainly show that organic life is controlled by a definite law, which is subordinate to that of light.

If we desire to illuminate a room, we do not seek to drive out the darkness, but place a light in the midst of the darkness, and it is immediately dispelled. Light is health, darkness is disease. All desire to enjoy health, but many refuse the light, which alone can bring it. They carefully close the doors and windows of their dwellings, and thus exclude from their homes this celestial boon. They place a higher value upon the paper on the wall, or the carpet upon the floor, than upon their own lives.

Life in inanimate creation inclines toward the light. This inclination is the result, not of the plant’s inherent power, but of the power of light, and the willingness of the plant to be controlled by that power. The earth annually recedes from, and again approaches toward, the sun, and the effects are seen and realized by all. The results are not

so apparent at first, but the farther it recedes, the more visible are the effects, until that part once so beautified by nature, becomes a wilderness, enveloped in ice and snow. When it again returns, ice and snow give place to refreshing streams and showers; and these cause the signs of life everywhere to appear, and the beauties of nature to abound. These beauties then exist in such variety as to lead all who behold to admire the handiwork of God; yet there are really no such beauties to him who is blind, because his body is full of darkness. The beauty, then, is in the light, not in the eye; and until the light enters the eye, the beauty can not be seen. A man may be clothed in a gorgeous robe, but if he remains in the dark, those colors can not be seen. But let him come into the light and no effort is needed to reveal the colors, for the color is in the light.

“And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night.” These two great lights are the sun and moon. The “greater” was to measure the day, and furnish the light for both day and night, while the “lesser” was only to give to the earth the light it received from the greater, and this is done while the sun is not visibly present. Sometimes the sun rises while the moon is still in sight, and, though the light of the moon is the sun’s light, it is gradually lost sight of in the increasing brightness of the superior light. If it were possible for us to follow through space the light coming from the moon, we would soon see that the light does not originate with the moon, but is received from the sun and reflected to the earth; and we could thus gain, even at night, an uninterrupted view of the source of light. Light makes no noise. It goes silently and faithfully about its work—seen but not heard. In the consideration of these few thoughts upon the subject of light, it is only that we may see more clearly what the Saviour designed to teach us upon the same subject.

In the Spiritual World.

As physical life is dependent upon physical light, so spiritual life is dependent upon spiritual light; and in the study of these we observe many interesting parallels, and see in each case the same fixed law. God’s word in the beginning operated upon a world enveloped in darkness; the same word now has to do with a world spiritually dark. In Isa. 60:2 we read, “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people.” The cause of this condition is distinctly stated in Eph. 4:17, 18: “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.”

Our first parents were warned that death would be the immediate result of disobedience. They disobeyed, by the consent of the mind, and, by believing another than God, received another mind. Thus the understanding was darkened, and the heart blinded. By the Word they were made to live; by faith in the same Word their lives would be continued, and when once lost, must be regained by faith in that Word.

“Unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his wings.” Mal. 4:2. “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.” John 12:32. Jesus said, “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:5. And John says of him, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:9.

The term “man” does not mean those alone who have lived or may live since Christ was on earth; for he is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Rev. 13:8. He alone can give life, and the patriarchs and prophets of ancient times manifested their faith in this fundamental truth by taking the life of innocent victims—the types of “the Lamb of God, which beareth [margin] away the sin of the world.” John 1:29. Christ’s mission was to bring life and immortality to light, and to abolish death. By faith in the promise of God, pardon of sin is obtained. Pardon is the taking away of sin; and when sin is taken away, the consequence, death, is of necessity removed. This leaves the believer in possession of life—the life of Christ, which is eternal. This life is the light of men (John 1:4); and its Author has promised that all who follow him “shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Thus all who are saved, from the days of Adam to the close of time, must be saved by the life of Christ, “for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

Life is not a dream. It is not made up of words alone, but of deeds as well. We hear what men say, but see what they do; and the greater power of the latter over the former is well expressed in the old maxim, “Actions speak louder than words.” In the life of Christ alone do we find a perfect combination of words and deeds. This is the light of men.

But since light is neither heard nor felt, but seen, how can any one be saved? For all men are blinded by sin. The word says, “Anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.” Rev. 3:18. If we can not do so ourselves, we may feel after the great Physician (Acts 17:26, 27), who is waiting to recognize the touch of faith (Luke 8:43–48) and to give the healing hand (John 9:5–7).

Here is encouragement for all. If you, dear reader, have not yet found this precious Saviour, you can do so “at this time.” Rom. 3:26. If you have found him, and, in your quiet home life, feel that you can do but little for those around you, do not be discouraged. Think of the sunlight. It goes about its work without a word, bringing to all the necessities of life in the blessings of light.

Light of the Word.

Christ is not with us in person to-day, but is he not with us as truly now by his Holy Spirit and word as in person then? His life is the light of men, and the Scriptures are a record of that life. The word of God is light, for “in him is no darkness at all.” This is why David could say, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Ps. 119:105. “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light.” Prov. 6:23. “To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa. 8:20. God is jealous of his word; and, although it is unsettled in the minds of men, it is forever “settled in heaven.” Ps. 119:89. Such was its importance that Christ came to earth to magnify it before the eyes of men. Isa. 42:21. In his life the law of God is “drawn out in living characters,” which are to abide forever. 1 Peter 1:23.

This world was created that God might speak light upon it, and there manifest his glory. “He spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” Ps. 33:9. The same word made us (John 1:1–3), that the glory of God might be seen upon us (Isa. 60:1, 2; Rev. 4:11). “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined into our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Cor. 4:6. “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Cor. 3:18. This is the new creation spoken of in Eph. 2:10, which is carried forward in the lives of those only who look steadfastly into the face of Jesus Christ, the “Sun of Righteousness,” and who feed continually upon the word of God. Matt. 4:4; Job 42:5; Eph. 4:20–24. He is the greater light, and we the lesser. As the moon is dark in itself, but borrows light from the sun, reflecting it upon the earth in the night, so we, who have no light in ourselves, can reflect light upon those who sit in darkness, when “the dayspring from on high hath visited us.” Luke 1:77–79. When this takes place, no effort is needed to show our colors, but others in seeing our good works will be led to glorify our Father which is in heaven.

Louisville, Ky.