WALKING IN THE LIGHT by Albert Stone

Seventh-Day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Thursday, May 20, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 21

WALKING IN THE LIGHT.

By Albert Stone

BY ELD. ALBERT STONE.

In this age of darkness it is a beautiful sight to behold one walking in the light. Such a one occupies an enviable position. The incorruptible seed, which is the word of God, has taken root in his heart. Fruit unto holiness is visible in his life, and there is a most cheering prospect that the end will be everlasting life. Blessed prospect! Such a one has learned important lessons in the school of Christ. Those who walk in the light do it from choice. The Christian living in the light has the promise of God’s blessing in this world, and of a glorious home in the world to come.

But he has not come into such a state without an effort of his own will. To be delivered from the power of darkness, and to be translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son, is indeed a great change. In this life men do not experience a greater change. Such a one has seen the lightning flashes of Sinai, and heard the rolling thunders uttered on the mount of God. The angel of justice has met him on his way, and made to him alarming discoveries. The law of God has been laid across his heart and conscience, and in the language of the publican he has prayed, “God be merciful to me a sinner.”

From the time his prayer was answered he has reckoned himself a debtor to grace. He has become a new man; old things have passed away, and all things are become new. His affections and aspirations are elevated. He enjoys religion. He loves the truth. He loves the instrumentalities that made him what he is. He consecrates himself to God, and lays all that he has upon the altar. And having by the grace of God made these attainments, he feels that his life-work is but just begun. Till now he has done everything wrong. He faces square about. Having been taught by the law the nature of sin, and his own wretched state by nature, he beholds ineffable beauty and value in the cross of Christ. He enlists at once under the blood-stained banner, and counts it his highest ambition to become a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

He enters upon the work with becoming zeal. He takes his position as a sentinel at the citadel of his own heart, knowing that out of it are the issues of life, and that to fail here is to be fatally overcome. He feels that he has a solemn charge to walk in the light and to keep himself unspotted from the world. He considers that the glory of God and his immortal interests are united in his life-work. With this two-fold motive he applies himself to the duties of the Christian life. He watches, he prays, he believes, and he works.

His religion is not of a superficial character. It is not intermittent. It is not chaffy and exposed to be blown about with every wind of excitement. He may have trials and temptations, but in all these he is a practical overcomer, because he walks in the light. He watches with vigilance, and works with his might. He runs for the prize, and fights for the victory. He does not allow slackness in his work, that would prove a failure in worldly matters. He studies the tactics of the Christian warfare, and disciplines his mind in every branch of the service of God.