November 17

Whatever both make manifest is light. — EPH. v. 13.

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 manifest, that they are wrought in God. — JOHN iii. 20, 21.

THIS passage of Scripture occurs at the close of Christ's conversation with Nicodemus. It contains the two fundamental doctrines of the whole Bible, — sin and salvation. The unregenerate man hates the light, shuns the light, fears the light. He would have you believe that he can be a Christian in his own way, that a public profession is not necessary, that the Lord's Supper is not of sufficient importance to require his compliance with the dying injunction of the Redeemer. His whole course is in direct opposition to the revealed will of God. "The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Romans viii. 7). The regenerate man is the opposite of this. He loves the light because God is light, and he delights to honor God by a cheerful and willing obedience to the divine commands. Whatever good he may do he gives God the credit for it. "In me dwelleth no good thing," but "I can do all things through Christ." Reader, this is a test by which you can easily find out where you stand: is it in the twentieth or twenty-first verse of this wonderful chapter?

George H. Smyth.

Behold the servant of the Lord!

I wait thy guiding hand to feel;

To hear and keep thy every word,

To prove and do thy perfect will;

Joyful from my own works to cease,

Glad to fulfil all righteousness.

C. WESLEY