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LIGHT

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 3, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 5.

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LIGHT.

By Augusta W. Heald

BY AUGUSTA W. HEALD.
JESUS was the Light of the world. He manifested the Father, and “whatsoever doth make manifest is light.” Eph. 5:13.
But, said Jesus to the disciples, “Ye are the light of the world.” Matt. 5:14. As the light of Christ shines into the hearts of His followers, so must that light be reflected to those that are in darkness. This principle is beautifully illustrated in the natural world. The moon and the planets are opaque bodies like our earth. They shine with a borrowed lustre, a steady radiance borrowed from the sun. Their softened and cheering rays delight our senses, and enliven the darkness of night. As the moon and the planets catch the light from the great center of the solar system, and reflect it to other worlds, so does the humble follower of Christ catch the divine light, and reflect it to others. Are we light-bearers to the world?—We may be; it is our privilege. How shall this be? What is required on our part? We are to become familiar with the character and attributes of God, as revealed in His written Word and in the works of creation. “We, . . . beholding as in a glass [mirror] the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory.” 2 Cor. 3:18.
We may not be aware of this change in ourselves, but it is promised to us, on conditions, and others will not fail to recognize the Christ-likeness, whenever it appears. The Saviour said, “I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest Me out of the world.” John 17:6. “I in them, and Thou in Me.” “And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them.”
Thus does the Christian become “the light of the world.” Christ manifests the Father to us, that we may manifest Christ to the world.
What a blessed privilege is offered to us!—to be a light-bearer, with power to dispel, in some measure, the darkness of sin and sorrow which envelopes this fallen world as with a gloomy pall. We may well put forth our utmost efforts to realize this privilege. It is by beholding that we are changed, and this results from study of the Word and communion with God. “Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Eph. 5:14.