CHARLES WESLEY.
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Paul At Ephesus. "Many ... which used curious arts brought their books, ... and burned them." Acts 19:19.
Walking In The Light
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Abraham"s Journey To Canaan. "By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out, ... obeyed." Heb. 11:8.
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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d, while living up to all the light he has, the more light and truth from G.o.d will shine upon his pathway. The fact that one has the evidence of his acceptance with G.o.d, 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 G.o.d.
5. Who was told by an angel of G.o.d that his ways pleased the Lord?
"He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of G.o.d 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 G.o.d." 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 G.o.d, and He therefore opened the way for Cornelius to learn the whole truth from Peter, that he might be saved. G.o.d 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 G.o.d, 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," page 131.
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 G.o.d." Verse 21.
11. What will those who reject light and truth, finally be led to believe?
"And for this cause G.o.d shall send them strong delusion, _that they should believe a lie_: that they all might be d.a.m.ned 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. G.o.d 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d"s word give?
"The entrance of Thy word _giveth light_; it giveth understanding unto the simple." Ps. 119:130.