Living In The Light

January 5, Light bearers Of Love

As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
—John 17:18 LL 11.1

In order to save fallen human beings, under a sense of the infinite magnitude of the task, Christ undertook to represent to the world the character of God in His great love for the world. Nothing was allowed for a moment to divert His attention from the object before Him. Every thought and purpose of His life was to carry out the plan of God laid before the foundation of the world. Said Christ, “Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life for the sheep” (See John 10:17, 15); that is, “My Father hath so loved you, that He even loves Me more for giving My life to redeem you. In becoming your substitute and surety, by surrendering My life, by taking your liabilities, your transgressions, I am fulfilling His will and vindicating His law of justice; you receive in Me its full penalty.” LL 11.2

This is a love which passeth knowledge. Shall we not be filled with astonishment at the amazing riches of the grace of Christ? Jesus alone could do the work. Knowing the height and depth of the love of God, He engaged to come into the world to represent it. Nothing less than the infinite sacrifice made by Christ in behalf of fallen humanity in coming into our world could express the love of God to human beings. It is impossible for us to conceive of the riches of His grace, abundantly provided for all who should believe on Jesus Christ. Having thus Himself represented the love of the Father, He has enjoined upon every soul that believes to represent Jesus Christ to the world, and thus multiply the character of God in their own lives and character. LL 11.3

“As thou hast sent Me into the world, (making Me Thy messenger) I have sent them into the world,” to be witnesses for Me (John 17:18). God calls upon each of His followers to do that which He hath done efficaciously for the Father—to represent His goodness, His mercy, and His love to the world—making them partakers of His divine nature, that they all through believing in Christ as their personal Savior should not perish, but have everlasting life. Thus these human agencies may so cooperate with the divine that others shall be saved through their instrumentality. All that are truly converted are commissioned of God to be light bearers to the world.—Letter 27, 1892. LL 11.4

Further Reflection: What other blessings do we receive from working with God for the salvation of the lost? How does helping God save others help us? LL 11.5