The Pathway of Life

Christ promises, «He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.» The way is plain; the will of God is manifest. We are not to live in doubt and uncertainty, and to rest satisfied while groping our way without a guide. Jesus does not, after giving us general directions, leave us to guess the way amid by-paths and dangerous passes. He leads us in a straight path; and while we follow Him, our footsteps will not slide. It was Jesus that led ancient Israel, tho the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night concealed Him from their view; and in this important period of the world’s history, He will as manifestly lead His people. The path is no uncertain one. The way is marked out, and every step is ordered of the Lord.

God has ample light and grace to bestow upon all them that fear Him. Especially will He help His people in these last days, when Satan’s devices are so abundant, so deceptive, and so corrupting. To those who will walk in the truth, the God of truth will give grace according to their needs. He will fill their hearts with peace, and courage, and confidence. But mercy and truth are promised only to the contrite and obedient. God has said that justice and judgment are the habitation of His throne; and those who are disobedient and rebellious will not escape the visitation of His just anger.

We can not afford to separate ourselves from Jesus for a single hour. Without Him we are in danger of being overcome of Satan, who is ever watching to suggest doubt, unbelief, and error. The world is flooded with error; it meets us on every hand. It is taught from the sacred desk, and lurks in theology, in literature, in philosophy, in science. Error perverts the judgment and opens the door to temptation, and through its influence Satan seeks to turn hearts from the truth; but an intelligent love for the truth sanctifies the receiver, and keeps him from the enemy’s deceptive snares.

Satan uses some professed Christians to lead souls from the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ. Worldly associates and amusements sow the seeds of doubt and skepticism. The sentiment of many worldly professors is, «Cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.» «Speak unto us smooth things; prophesy deceits.» Many are daily cheating their souls with a form of godliness without the power; but the Lord has removed His smile and the inspiration of His Spirit from them. His displeasure is against them, because their deeds are evil. He demands decided changes in the life and character. Good intentions, good resolutions, good acts, can not be accepted as substitutes for repentance, faith, and willing obedience.

The people are too willing to believe their teachers without careful thought and prayerful investigation of God’s Word. They love to have their consciences quieted—love to be rocked to sleep in the cradle of carnal security. In their blind selfishness, they deceive themselves in those things wherein they are willing to be deceived. Our Saviour declared to the Pharisees, «Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life.» And in His conversation with Nicodemus He said; «Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.» So in this age; the church will neither search the Scriptures nor listen to the truth, lest her works be reproved. She is more willing to depart from the commandments of God than from the customs and friendship of the world. And because great men and worldly wise men are in her favor, because numbers and temporal prosperity are hers, she believes herself favored of God—«rich, and increased with goods, and in need of nothing.»

But earthly prosperity is no evidence of the favor of God. Christ and His apostles teach us, both by precept and example, that the true child of God can not enjoy the friendship of the world. If he seeks it, it will become a snare to him; he will adopt the customs, precepts, and standards of the world, and will finally become like them in spirit. But there can be no fellowship between the Prince of light and the prince of darkness. Says the apostle John, «The world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God.» They are unknown, unacknowledged by the world; but their names, cast out as evil by the lovers of sin, are written in the book of life. They are the adopted heirs of Christ, the nobility of Heaven. These are they that came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.»