“Ye Are the Light of the World.”
By A. C. Bourdeau
These words in Matt. 5:14, as spoken by our Saviour in his memorable sermon on the mount, are used metaphorically. Here Christ’s followers are not merely likened or compared to a light, but are said to be “the light of the world.” A metaphor is the most forcible figure that can be used by which to represent any person or thing. The sun, around which the earth and planets revolve, and by which they are held in their orbits, is the great source of light from which these bodies receive light and heat. The same may be said of any heavenly body which forms the center of a system of orbs, relative to the bodies which revolve around it. The moon only reflects the light that it receives from the sun. In like manner, doubtless, the earth reflects light borrowed from the sun to the planets and other celestial bodies, just as they reflect borrowed light to the earth. Even an artificial light could not exist without heat, and heat, as already stated, is received from the sun. The nearer we come to a light, the more light we can see in it. Now the message declared unto us in Holy Writ is, “that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5. And of his Son, by whom “he made the worlds,” and who is “the express image of his person,” we read, “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 1:9. Said Christ, “I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Chap. 8:12; 9:5. The Lord is “the Sun of righteousness”—the great source of spiritual light—the fountain from which all our blessings flow. His word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our path. And it is only through that sacred word, backed up by the Spirit of God to our hearts, that our minds become illuminated, and that, in believing in the light—Christ Jesus—we “may be children of light” (John 12:35, 36; Eph. 5:8); and thus “shine as lights in the world.” Phil. 2:15. This we have not in and of ourselves. It is a gift from above, which “cometh down from the Father of lights.” James 1:17. As we follow the Saviour, or draw near to God in keeping his commandments, and in walking in conformity to the leadings of his Spirit, and to the teachings of his word, we receive rays of light which we reflect upon others around us, our path “is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Prov. 4:18, and others see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in Heaven. Matt. 5:19. Those who really occupy this position are the most esteemed and appreciated as consistent Christians near home, where they are the best known. They are not formal professors, who at a distance have a name that they live, while at home they are dead, whose light shines less at home than abroad. (We read, “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness?” Matt. 6:23.) But they are the real, humble followers of Christ, who are often found communing with their God in secret prayer, where they have the light of God’s reconciled countenance shining into their hearts. When they appear before those of their own household, they bear the impress of their Heavenly Father upon their countenance, have a gentle, winning, and loving spirit, and use words of pleasantness, which are “always with grace, seasoned with salt,” are “to the use of edifying,” and are calculated to “minister grace unto the hearers.” They thus appear also before their neighbors, and all those with whom they have to do, exhibiting pure characters by being strictly upright and honest in all their walks and dealings in life, both with God and man; and, in this manner, they are not found scattering abroad, but gathering with Christ, by letting their light shine. Commencing first at their Jerusalem—in the closet—they exert an influence for good in their families, among their neighbors, and as far as they can upon their fellow-men around them. A few years ago, two of our preachers were holding a two-days’ meeting in a village, where a Sabbath-keeper and his family had been living for several years, when, at the close of their meeting, as liberty was given for any present to speak, a man arose and expressed his determination to become a Christian, and to keep all the commandments of God; and, addressing his neighbors and acquaintances, he feelingly said, “It is not what these preachers have said to us to-day that has led me to embrace the seventh-day Sabbath; but it is the consistent course of that Mr. P——.” In another place, several discourses were given, and an active business man and his family, who were worldlings, embraced the truth. It was soon seen that a great change for the better had taken place in that family. In the course of two years after that, two families and other individuals that were his near neighbors embraced the truth, one of whom testified afterward in a Sabbath meeting as follows: “When meetings were held in our neighborhood two years ago, I was as much convinced that the seventh day is the Sabbath as I am to-day. Since that time, I have watched the course of Bro. H—— and his family, and I have fully concluded that the truth which has done them so much good, is good for me and mine, and, by the grace of God, we are resolved to keep it.” “Hold up thy light! Thou canst not tell,
However feeble be its ray,
But some poor soul may catch its beam,
And find the narrow way.”