Section 12

Christian Growth and Experience

Chapter 120.

Walking in the Light

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 God 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 God 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 God while living up to all the light he has, the more light and truth from God will shine upon his pathway. The fact that one has the evidence of his acceptance with God, 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 God.

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5. Who was told by an angel of God that his ways pleased the Lord?
"He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God 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 God." 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 God, and He therefore opened the way for Cornelius to learn the whole truth from Peter, that he might be saved. God 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 God, 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," chapter 30. of this book.

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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 God." Verse 21.

11. What will those who reject light and truth, finally be led to believe?
"And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned 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. God 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 God 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 God's word give?
"The entrance of Thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." Ps. 119:130.

16. Who does Christ say will be blessed through the prophecies of the book of Revelation?
"Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein." Rev. 1:3.

NOTE.-We are in the last days, in the generation that is to hear the final warning message contained in this book. See Rev. 14:6-10; 18:1-5. Those who accept this message are described as keeping the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. See Rev. 12:17; 14:12; 22:14; and readings in chapters 56 thru 58. Now especially these chapters should be studied.

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17. May those who have once been led of God, be rejected by Him on account of unbelief?
"I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once
knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not." Jude 5.

18. Upon what condition only may we be made partakers of Christ?
"For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end." Heb. 3:14. See Matt. 10:22; 24:12,13; Heb. 10:35-39.

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WALK in the light! so shalt thou know
That fellowship of love
His Spirit only can bestow
Who reigns in light above.

Walk in the light! and thou shalt own
Thy darkness passed away;
Because that light on thee hath shone
In which is perfect day.

Walk in the light! and e'en the tomb
No fearful shade shall wear;
Glory shall chase away its gloom,
For Christ hath conquered there.

Walk in the light! and thine shall be
A path, though thorny, bright;
For God, by grace, shall dwell in thee,
And God Himself is light.
BERNARD BARTON.

Preparing For Eternity
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