The Light of the World by Mrs. E. G. White

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Dec 11, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 47.

The Light of the World.

By Mrs. E. G. White

"I AM the light of the world." The feast of tabernacles had just closed when Jesus uttered these words in the temple at Jerusalem. Around the court were the golden lamps whose brilliant light had illuminated the city. Pointing to these, and beyond them to the glorious sun just risen in splendor above the Mount of Olives, he declares himself to be the light of the world.

Jesus sought by his illustrations to associate every object around him with divine truth. As the day previous he had likened the Spirit's influence on the heart to cool, refreshing water, inviting all who thirsted for the life-giving draught to come unto him and drink, so now he compared himself to the all-pervading light, the source of life and gladness to nature and to man. From him must come the only light that can illuminate the darkness of a world lying in sin. "There is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." But the light of hope is granted to all who will receive it. Said the Great Teacher, "He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Those who receive this divine radiance are in turn to become light-bearers to the world. Thus our Saviour taught his disciples: "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." It is not merely the conviction of the mind, it is not the acceptance of a theory, however correct, that makes us Christians. It is the indwelling of Christ in the soul, the development of his Spirit in the life. We are to look to Christ, and by beholding we shall become changed into his image. Christian experience is a constant effort to conform the human will to the will of Christ, and to form the character after the divine model.

The law of God is the only true standard of moral perfection, and that law was practically exemplified in the life of Christ. He says of himself, "I have kept my Father's commandments." Nothing short of obedience on our part will meet the requirements of God's word. "He that abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked." We cannot plead that we are unable to do this; for Jesus has given us the assurance, "My grace is sufficient for thee."

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." Religion is not to be held as a precious treasure, jealously hoarded, and enjoyed only by the possessor. True religion cannot be thus held; for such a spirit is contrary to the principles of the gospel. "Freely ye have received, freely give," are the words of our Master; and again he bids us, "Love one another as I have loved you." "Every one that loveth him that begat, loveth him also that is begotten of him." And not only so, but we should love those who "have no hope, and are without God in the world." While Christ is dwelling in the heart by his Spirit, it is impossible to conceal the light of his presence, or for that light to grow dim. On the contrary, it will grow brighter and brighter, as day by day the mists of selfishness and sin that envelop the soul are dispelled by the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. The world lies in darkness. All around us souls are going down to ruin and to death. As Christ sheds the light of his love upon his followers, they are to reflect this light upon others. They should do all in their power to win men from the path that leads down to ruin, to the narrow path that leads up to eternal life. But the word of God declares that the children of this world are wiser in their generation than the children of light. Often, in their efforts to save human life, or to minister to the comfort of the needy and the afflicted, they put to shame the zeal and devotion of professed Christians. A lesson may be learned from the faithfulness of the light-house keeper, whose duty it is to warn men of the perils that threaten them on the trackless sea.

"The watchman at Calais light-house was boasting of the brilliancy of his lantern, which can be seen ten leagues out at sea, when a visitor said to him:—

"You speak with enthusiasm, sir, and that is well. I like to hear men tell what they are sure they have and know; but what if one of the lights should chance to go out?"

"Never, never! Absurd, impossible!" replied the sensitive watchman, in consternation at the mere supposition of such a thing. "Why, sir," he continued, pointing to the ocean, 'yon-

der, where nothing can be seen, there are ships going by to every port in the world. If, tonight, one of my burners went out, within six months would come a letter, perhaps from India, perhaps from Australia, perhaps from some port I never heard of before,—a letter saying that on such a night, at such an hour, at such a minute, the light at Calais burned low and dim; that the watchman neglected his post; that vessels were consequently put in jeopardy on the high seas. Ah, sir,' and his face shone with the intensity of his thought, 'sometimes in the dark nights, and in the stormy weather, I look out upon the sea, and feel as though the eye of the whole world were looking at my light. Go out? Burn dim? That flame flicker low or fail? No, sir, never!'

"And shall Christians, shining for tempted sinners, allow their light to fail? Forever out upon life's billowy sea, are souls we see not, strange sailors in the dark, passing by, struggling, it may be, amid the surges of temptation. Christ is the light, and the Christian is appointed to reflect the light. The ocean is vast, its dangers are many, and the eyes of far-away voyagers are turned toward Calais light-house—the church of Jesus Christ. The church is set to be the light of the world. Are its revolving lamps all trimmed and brightly burning?"

Think of this, professed Christians! A failure to let your light shine, a neglect to obtain heavenly wisdom that you may have light from God, may cause the loss of a soul! What is the life lost at sea, in comparison with the eternal life which may be lost through your unfaithfulness? Can you endure the thought? Can you go on from day to day indifferent and careless, as though there were no God and no hereafter, as though you were not Christ's servant; as though you had no blood-bought privileges? It is of the highest consequence that you stand at your post, like the faithful watchman, that your light may shine out before others. You should be so impressed with the importance of your work that to the question, "What if your light should go out?" your whole soul would respond, "Never, never! for then souls would be lost!"

You may never know the result of your influence from day to day, but be sure that it is exerted for good or for evil. Many who have a kind heart and good impulses, permit their attention to be absorbed in worldly business or pleasure, while souls that look to them for guidance drift on to hopeless wreck. Such persons may make a high profession, and may stand well in the opinion of men, even as Christians; but in the day of God, when our works shall be compared with the divine law, it will be found that they have not come up to the standard. Others who saw their course fell a little below them, still others fell below the latter class, and thus the work of degeneracy went on.

Throw a pebble into the lake, and a wave is formed, and another, and another; and as they increase, the circle widens, until they reach the very shore. Thus our influence though apparently insignificant, may continue to extend far beyond our knowledge or control. It is as impossible for us to determine the result as it was for the watchman to see the ships that were scattered upon the sea.

We are dealing with stern realities. Our

life-record will be what we make it. What are we now doing with our God-given duties and privileges? Are we making the very most of the blessings that are granted us? Is our light, kindled at the divine altar, shining out as a guide to tempest-tossed souls upon the sea of life?

"Let the lower lights be burning! Send a gleam across the wave! Some poor fainting, struggling seaman You may rescue, you may save."