Living In The Light

October 7 Made Perfect Through Suffering

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood ofJesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
—1 John 1:7 LL 296.1

Let no one flatter themself that he or she is a successful person unless he or she preserves the integrity of his conscience, giving themself wholly to the truth and to God. We should move steadily forward, never losing heart or hope in the good work, whatever trials beset our path, whatever moral darkness may encompass us. Patience, faith, and love for duty are the lessons we must learn. Subduing self and looking to Jesus is an everyday work. The Lord will never forsake the soul that trusts in Him and seeks His aid. . . . LL 296.2

It pains me to say, my brethren, that your sinful neglect to walk in the light has enshrouded you in darkness.You may now be honest in not recognizing and obeying the light; the doubts you have entertained, your neglect to heed the requirements of God, have blinded your perceptions so that darkness is now to you light, and light is darkness. God has bidden you to go forward to perfection. Christianity is a religion of progress. Light from God is full and ample, waiting our demand upon it. Whatever blessings the Lord may give, He has an infinite supply beyond, an inexhaustible store from which we may draw. Skepticism may treat the sacred claims of the gospel with jests, scoffing, and denial. The spirit of worldliness may contaminate the many and control the few; the cause of God may hold its ground only by great exertion and continual sacrifice, yet it will triumph finally. LL 296.3

The word is: Go forward; discharge your individual duty and leave all consequences in the hands of God. If we move forward where Jesus leads the way we shall see His triumph, we shall share His joy. We must share the conflicts if we wear the crown of victory. Like Jesus, we must be made perfect through suffering. Had Christ’s life been one of ease, then might we safely yield to sloth. Since His life was marked with continual self-denial, suffering, and self-sacrifice, we shall make no complaint if we are partakers with Him. We can walk safely in the darkest path if we have the Light of the world for our guide. LL 296.4

The Lord is testing and proving you.— Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 70, 71. LL 296.5

Further Reflection: Are you growing in your relationship with Christ? How are you progressing in your walk with God? LL 296.6