September 28

"But now are ye light in the Lord." — Ephesians 5:8.

WHAT an amazing contrast is there between a state of nature and a state of grace! They are described in Scripture by things the most opposite — bondage and liberty; enmity and peace; death and life; light and darkness. For ye were sometime darkness; but now are ye light in the Lord.

A STATE OF GRACE IS A STATE OF LIGHT. Here is

The light of knowledge. Ignorance is compared to darkness, and knowledge to light. The Spirit commences his gracious work in the soul by the renewing of the mind. "But now are ye light in the Lord;" that is, now you have received Christ, and are made partakers of his grace and Spirit. This knowledge is divine in its source: they are light "in the Lord." It is excellent in its character, progressive in its nature, and delightful in its influence.

The light of holiness. Light is often used as an emblem of purity. God is designated light, in this respect, as a God of spotless holiness. Heaven as a holy place is called "the inheritance of the saints in light." The Christian is adorned and enriched with the principles of holiness, and the light shines in his soul with such glorious lustre and transparent splendor, that it sheds abroad its beams in the life.

The light of God's countenance. This intimates the favor of the Almighty. Light and joy are spoken of as synonymous terms. "Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart." His favor is life, spiritual and eternal, the life of grace and glory. What flashes of light have some eminent saints been favored with, even in the dark valley of death! Such soul-transfigurations, says one, resemble the white wing of the sea-bird, gleaming through the mist and spray, against the storm-cloud, as she veers homeward to her rock: they are like the glory on earth of some ministering cherub, suddenly unveiled in the moment of its return to heaven.

The light of heaven. Heaven is often spoken of as a place of light. Revelation 21:23. There will be light without any mixture of darkness — there shall be no light there; the sun shall always be at its noon-tide splendor and glory. May I have the light of knowledge in the head, the light of grace in the heart, the light of holiness in the life, the light of God's favor in death, and the light of glory in heaven!