Living In The Light

December 28, Reflect The Sun Of Righteousness

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”
—Matthew 5:14, 15 LL 380.1

The Lord longs to give precious blessings to the self-denying, self-sacrificing worker. He would have His servants at their post of duty, their loins girt about with truth. “Gird up the loins of your mind; be sober, and hope to the end, watching, waiting, praying, and working.” LL 380.2

The apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Corinthians, lifts a voice of warning: “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God. . . .” LL 380.3

Christ’s commission is ever to be kept before the church. Sinners must be saved by the light reflected from the church by the ministry of the Word. Through God’s commandment-keeping people, sinners are to behold the Sun of Righteousness. Ministers and people are to catch the light of God’s purposes, hidden from the world because it cannot see the Sun of Righteousness. LL 380.4

“Ye are the light of the world,” Christ said to His disciples. As light-bearers, you are to reflect to the world the rays of the Sun of Righteousness. You are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men and women. God’s people should now receive the light and diffuse it. They need not try to shine; if their hearts are enlightened by Christ, they cannot help shining. The brightness will appear; every true disciple will reveal Christ to the world as the sin-pardoning Savior. LL 380.5

The church is to show to the world God’s forbearance, His holiness, meekness, mercy, and truth. Christians are to shine brighter and brighter, daily catching more and more of the beams from the Redeemer’s face. God has appointed every member of the human family to represent the truth. He has given men and women capabilities and faculties and has endowed them with ability to improve these powers. The voice, the affections, influence, property—all are entrusted to human beings to be returned to God.— Review and Herald, July 26, 1898. LL 380.6

Further Reflection: : What do you think it means to show the world “God’s forbearance”? How is this related to the good news of the gospel? LL 380.7