Arise and Shine
“Let the inquiry be, ‘What is truth?’ John 18:38. The darkness of error and superstition and falsehood has covered the earth, and gross darkness the people.” Letters and Manuscripts, Vol. 7, MS 24, 1891.
As spiritual and moral darkness becomes black as midnight, Christians are called upon to shine. During the day, stars cannot be seen, but when the sun sets and darkness envelops the earth, the stars appear. The darker the night becomes, the brighter the stars shine. Daniel talked about a time when God’s people will shine like the stars. “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3.
Jesus said that His church would be “the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14. Paul wrote that the church should be “a light to those who are in darkness.” Romans 2:19.
How do we let our light shine? By letting God’s Word be a “lamp to [our] feet and a light to [our] path.” Psalm 119:105. We are to be living out the teachings of God’s Word in our own lives. To profess the truth but not live by every Word of Scripture is a deception of the worst kind.
God’s Law is a light. “No man can rightly present the law of God without the Gospel, or the Gospel without the law. The law is the Gospel embodied, and the Gospel is the law unfolded. The law is the root, the Gospel is the fragrant blossom and the fruit which it bears.” Signs of the Times, June 20, 1906.
Living this light is one of the greatest responsibilities resting upon Christians in this world of darkness! May the fruits of love and holy living characterize our lives.