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XII.
Christian Growth and Experience
Chapter 120
:
Walking in the Light
1. HOW important is it
that we walk in the light when it comes to us?
"Walk while ye have the light,
lest darkness come upon you: for he that
walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth."
John 12:35.
NOTE.-It is important to settle a plain question
of duty at once, and not delay obedience under
the excuse of waiting for more light. To do as
did Balaam- ask God again concerning that which
He has plainly and expressly spoken- is
dangerous. Nor should we, like the unbelieving
Jews, seek a sign from heaven to convince us
that we ought to obey the written Word. Has God
spoken? Is it His word? Then obey. Do not insult
Heaven with the question whether it is right to
obey. If one gets an answer to such prayers, it
will more than likely be a permission to have
one's own chosen way of continuing in
disobedience, the end of which is death. See 1
Kings 22:1-36; Eze. 14:1-5.
2. Upon what condition
are we promised cleansing from sin?
"But if we walk in the light, as
He is in the light, we have fellowship one
with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His
Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7.
3. How long may the
just expect increased light to shine upon their
pathway?
"But the path of the just is as the
shining light, that shineth more and more
unto the perfect day." Prov. 4:18.
4. For whom is light
sown?
"Light is sown for the righteous,
and gladness for the upright in heart." Ps.
97:11.
NOTE.-The more earnestly one desires to know the
will of God while living up to all the light he
has, the more light and truth from God will
shine upon his pathway. The fact that one has
the evidence of his acceptance with God, is no
proof that he has all the light there is for
him. If light is sown for the righteous, such
are the very ones who may expect advanced light
to come to them, and to see new duties presented
to them from a study of the Word of God.
5. Who was told by an
angel of God that his ways pleased the Lord?
"He saw in a vision evidently about
the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming
in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and
said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him,
Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a
memorial before God." Acts 10:3,4.
6. Because Cornelius's
ways pleased the Lord, was this evidence that he
had nothing more to learn or do?
"And now send men to Joppa, and call
for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: he
lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is
by the seaside: he shall tell thee what thou
oughtest to do." Verses 5,6.
NOTE.-The reason why the Lord favored Cornelius
with a visit from one of His angels, was not
because Cornelius knew the way of salvation
perfectly, but because the Lord saw in him a
sincere desire for more light, and a willing
mind to comply with every known requirement.
That spirit was pleasing to God, and He
therefore opened the way for Cornelius to learn
the whole truth from Peter, that he might be
saved. God never changes. He does the same now
with sincere, devoted persons. All may now
receive advanced light, if, like Cornelius, they
seek it, and are willing to walk in it when it
comes to them. If it is neglected, they are
guilty before God, and will be left to the
buffetings of the enemy.
7. What will become of
the light which one has if he fails to walk in
it?
"The light of the body is the eye:
therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole
body also is full of light; but when thine eye
is evil, thy body also is full of darkness.
Take heed therefore that the light which is in
thee be not darkness." Luke 11:34,35.
8. Why did Christ say
that the sin of those who rejected Him remained?
"Jesus said unto them, If ye were
blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say,
We see; therefore your sin remaineth." John
9:41. See also John 15:22.
NOTE.-With advanced light comes increased
responsibility. Duty is always in proportion to
one's light and privileges. Present truth always
brings with It present duty. See reading on
"Present Truth," chapter 30. of this book.
9. Why are those
condemned that do not come to the light?
"And this is the condemnation, that
light is come into the
world, and men loved darkness rather than
light, because their deeds were evil." John
3:19.
10. If one is really
seeking for truth, what will he do?
"But he that doeth truth cometh to
the light, that his deeds may be made
manifest, that they are wrought in God." Verse
21.
11. What will those who
reject light and truth, finally be led to
believe?
"And for this cause God shall send
them strong delusion, that they should
believe a lie: that they all might be damned
who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in
unrighteousness." 2 Thess. 2:11,12.
NOTE.-The opposite of light is darkness; the
opposite of truth is a lie. For those who reject
light and truth, only darkness and error remain.
God is sometimes in the Scriptures represented
as sending that which he permits to come. See
Ps. 81:12; 1 Kings 22:20-23; Rom. 1:21-28.
12. Who is the light of
the world?
"I am the light of the world:
he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have the light of life." John 8:12.
13. How are we to walk
in Christ?
"As ye have therefore received
Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him."
Col. 2:6.
14. What has God given
to guide our feet aright in the path of truth
and duty?
"Thy word is a lamp unto my
feet, and a light unto my path." Ps.
119:105. See Prov. 6:23.
15. What does the
entrance of God's word give?
"The entrance of Thy word giveth
light; it giveth understanding unto the
simple." Ps. 119:130.
16. Who does Christ say
will be blessed through the prophecies of the
book of Revelation?
"Blessed is he that readeth,
and they that hear the words of this
prophecy, and keep those things which are
written therein." Rev. 1:3.
NOTE.-We are in the last days, in the generation
that is to hear the final warning message
contained in this book. See Rev. 14:6-10;
18:1-5. Those who accept this message are
described as keeping the commandments of God and
the faith of Jesus. See Rev. 12:17; 14:12;
22:14; and readings in chapters 56 thru 58. Now
especially these chapters should be studied.
17. May those who have
once been led of God, be rejected by Him on
account of unbelief?
"I will therefore put you in
remembrance, though ye once
knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the
people out of the land of Egypt, afterward
destroyed them that believed not." Jude 5.
18. Upon what condition
only may we be made partakers of Christ?
"For we are made partakers of Christ,
if we hold the beginning of our confidence
steadfast unto the end." Heb. 3:14. See
Matt. 10:22; 24:12,13; Heb. 10:35-39.
WALK
in the light! so shalt thou know
That fellowship of love
His Spirit only can bestow
Who reigns in light above.
Walk
in the light! and thou shalt own
Thy darkness passed away;
Because that light on thee hath shone
In which is perfect day.
Walk
in the light! and e'en the tomb
No fearful shade shall wear;
Glory shall chase away its gloom,
For Christ hath conquered there.
Walk
in the light! and thine shall be
A path, though thorny, bright;
For God, by grace, shall dwell in thee,
And God Himself is light.
BERNARD BARTON. |
