p. 725 | BRIGHT CHRISTIANS by Theodore L. Cuyler, D. D.

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 1, 1887

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 13, No. 46.

BRIGHT CHRISTIANS.

By Theodore L. Cuyler, D. D.

THE houses of the people of Palestine, in ancient times, were not lighted by candles; therefore the translation of the fifteenth verse of the fifth chapter of Matthew in our common version is not correct. In the house of the poorest peasant was a lamp. A small cup or other vessel was filled with oil, a bit of linen rag or a wick was set afloat in it, and the simple contrivance was set on a lampstand. To put it under a couch or to hide it under a grain-measure would be absurd. Our Lord, in his sermon on the mount, alludes to the familiar lamp in every dwelling, and then says to his followers, "so let your light shine before men." This is the manner in which every Christian should be luminous. The word "so" refers back to the previous verse. The motive for doing this then follows, viz., "that men may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." Not for mere ostentation and self-glorification were they to make a display of their religion; neither were they to conceal it by either indolence or cowardice. To turn the outside of their character in would be as harmful as to turn the inside of it out.

The crying want of the times is more bright Christians. There are quite too many church members who were kindled for a little while—perhaps during the heat of a revival season—and then have either been smuggled into a dark lantern, or else allowed to die down into a feeble glimmer, barely visible through the smoke. For no mere selfish purpose does Jesus Christ bestow his converting grace upon any man or woman. He did not make you a Christian, my friend, either for your own enjoyment in this world, or to save you from perdition in the next. He touched your heart with his illuminating grace, chiefly that you might impart the benefit of your light to others, and glorify him. He commanded the light to shine into the darkness of your sinful soul, that you might give the light of the knowledge of God as seen in the face of Jesus to all with whom you come in contact. You may not be a magnificent Fresnel-burner like a Chalmers or a Wesley in their day, or like a Spurgeon or a Shaftesbury or a Moody in our times. But the properties of light are the same in a household lamp that they are in the huge luminary that flashes from the tower at Sandy Hook; and in your little circle there is just as much need of a bright Christian as there is in the most conspicuous pulpit of Christendom.

If you neglect to let your light shine, however humble it be, not only will your own character suffer, but somebody else will be the worse for it. The simple failure of a signalman to swing his lantern at the right time, has sent a railway train into deadly ruin. Your failure to utter the right word, to do the right thing, or to exert the right influence may be sending some others off the track in the same fatal fashion. I know of certain households—perhaps yours may be one—in which the lamp smokes more than it shines. That son would not be so troubled with skepticism if he saw a more attractive living evidence of Christianity in the daily conduct of his professedly Christian parents. Another son would not be seen so often on his way to the saloon, or some other dangerous haunt, if the torch of both warning and example were held up faithfully and lovingly. It is almost hopeless to expect conversions in some families. One reason is that there is a lamp of profession there which smokes foully instead of beaming brightly. The light that is in that house is fast becoming darkness. The oil has given out. Love of the world, or the greed of selfishness, or some other sin, has extinguished the love of Christ. The real cause of all spiritual declension is the lack of a Christly love and loyalty in the heart. When people are full of any subject they will speak out; they cannot help it. When your soul is on fire with the love of Jesus and of your fellowmen, you will burn and shine unconsciously. Probably the most effective good which most genuine Christians do is in the way of steady, silent, and unconscious reflection of Jesus Christ in their daily conduct. To preach a sermon, or teach a mission-school class, or distribute Bibles or bread among the needy, is a direct, premeditated act of lamp-bearing. But to live along day after day luminously reflecting Christ in word and deed, at home, in the store, in the shop, and everywhere else, is just "letting the light shine" of its own sweet accord. That is the sort of religion that tells. And however glibly Brother A may speak in the prayer-meeting, or however brightly Sister B may shine in her Dorcas Society or "holiness meeting," yet if they end in smoke at home, theirs is but a dark and dreary dwelling. Trim the household lamp, good friends. A revival of thorough home piety is the most needed revival in these times, for the well-being of both church and commonwealth.

Light is a combination of many rays, and each white ray a combination of many colors. If you apply the spectrum to a bright Christian, you will find that he sheds out various graces. Chiefest of all is the ray of love. This is the supreme grace which most completely reflects Christ Jesus, and which imparts the golden effulgence to a true, fervent Christian life. It is not a flash of sentiment, or fitful gush of emotion, but a steady anthracite flame which glows all day and all night because the divine fire is burning in the soul. "So have I loved you," saith the Master; "continue ye in my love." Where this lamp beams, the humblest home will be brightened, the hardest pillow will be softened, the coarsest fare will be sweetened. Love is the best grace Christ can give us, for in it he gives himself; it is the best we can return to him, for in it we give ourselves. . . .

Here are a few of the rays which a bright Christian will reflect, while he is reflecting Christ. Trim your lamp, brother. Feed it afresh with prayer for more oil, and with fresh inlettings of Jesus into your soul. Carry your lamp always with you, as the miners carry theirs on their hats, not only to work by, but to help their neighbors work. The world may discover Jesus Christ in you when they would find him in no other way. Light other people's lamps. A bright Christian is a ray shot from the throne of Heaven into this dark world. "Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning."