The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1946-10-03
ER NJ ON ETTE
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD
BY DAVID A. DoAN


them saying. 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).
"And this is the condemnation,
that light is come into the world,
and men loved darkness rather
than light, because their deeds
were evil. For every one that
doeth evil hateth the light, neither
cometh to the light, lest his deeds
should be reproved. But he that
doeth truth cometh to the light,
that his deeds may be made man
ifest, that they are wrought in
God" John 3:19-2D. Jesus is the
light spoken of in these verses. We
in our natural state were the ones
who loved darkness rather than
light From the very moment Jesus
came into this world, men either
came to the light He shed abroad,
or they tried to put it out. HerOd
tried to smother this flame of light,
but the shepherds and wise men
came and Worshipped and were
enlightened by it. Jesus, yet today,
is the Light of the whole world,
and all mankind is either coming
to Him, or seeking to hide from
the piercing rays of this Light.
Let us compare the natural char
acteristics of light with Jesus, the
Light of the world. First, light
reveals to us our true condition.
/ have vivid memories of first
learning to wash my face, neck
and ears by myself, knowing that
my mother, after I had finished
would inspect the job. She would
gently take me by the ear, and
lead me to near window and
proceed to examine my ears by the
light of day. Many times the light
revealed dirt that l had missed be-
cause / could not see it. So it is
that the light of Jesus, through His
gospel revealed in the Word of
God, illumines the evil, sinful con-
dition of mems hearts. Hebrew Alp
tells us that the Word of God is
the discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart. That is eX-
actly why evil men do not care to
hear the Word preached. For
everyone that doeth evil hateth the
light, neither cometh to the light,
lest his deeds should be reproved," 5"
Then, too, light reveals to us our
danger. Almost every one Of us at
some time or another has had to
stop at a railroad crossing. We
stopped because there were two
bright, glaring, red lights flicker
ing on and off, telling us of the
danger that was coming near.
Many people have been killed be
cause they did not heed this warn
ing. Just as natural light many
times reveals to us our danger, so
the light of Jesus shows to men
the pitfalls and bitches Of sin along
Iife's road. Men alWay. pay the
consequences of sin, which is death
for not needing the warnings re-
Vealed in the Word Of God. The
Bible tells US that if we are not
following Christ, we are keeping
step with the devil. He is doomed
to hell, and so are all who follow
him. The Scriptures tell us of two
roads we can travel. One, broad
road, travelled by the many, leads
to destruction. The other, a narrow
way, travelled by the few, leads to
life everlasting. Which one are you
travelling ? Allow the Light of the
world, Jesus Christ, to tighten the
way before you and reveal to you
the dangers that lie ahead for all
who have never come to this Light
for salvation.
Natural light is also used tC
guide us in the right and safe way
This is the reason for the lights
along the streets of our towns. We
like to have the sidewalks and the
the streets illuminated, so that we
can see our way around in safety
Our automobiles have headlights
for the same purpose. You have
often seen, flashing across the sky
at night, a beam of powerful light
It comes from the Searchlights
which tells aViators whether they
are or are not on the right course
Lighthouses are placed along the
shallow, rocky coasts to guide the
ships safely into port. So 1t is that
Jesus, the Light of the world, il
lumines the pathway we treac
through life, if we will but trust
Him. There need be no fear in our
hearts because of the dark anc
gloomy shadows along the way
Just trust Jesus, and His light viii
make all shadows flee away. If we
let the light of Jesus come into Oul
hearts, He will point us into the
unknown future with a beat o.
light which will give us courage t
press on. If we will come to thl'
light. He will keep US from makins
tragic shipwrecks of our lives or
the rockbound shores of life, ant
will pilot us through the dangerOu
waters safely into that Haven o
Rest
Have you ever come to thl
Light? If not. come to Jesus now
Do not sshun this Light any LONGER
do not neglect this Light and liv'
in darkness; do not hate this h9h
because your deeds are evil. Seel
this Light, and accept Christ a:
your personal Savior, and let HIN
dispel from your heart the aWfH
darkness and hlackness of sin am
flood it with the pure light of Hi
glorious gospel and of Gods efer
nal truth and salvation
'The whole world was lost !
the darkness of sin;
The Light of the world is JeSu
Like sunshine at monday, Hi