Mark 4:23-24 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.… THE INCREASE OF OUR SPIRITUAL LIGHT IS DEPENDENT UPON THE MEASURE OF OUR PRACTICAL FAITHFULNESS. If we consider the world about us, we discover the importance of action as a source of knowledge. Men do not expect a fulness of light before they proceed to action; but, with a little knowledge, they apply themselves to action, and with action light increases and problems are solved. And it is this testing and developing ideas by action which distinguishes between the grand benefactors of our race, and the mere dreamers of dreams of progress. Such men as Arkwright, Watt, Stephenson, applied their knowledge; ever verified, corrected, developed it by actual experiment and use, and so became light centres to their own and after generations. Action kept pace with speculation in these great discoverers, and so they pushed out the borders of science, and enriched society with a thousand blessings; whilst men of large speculation and little or no action pass away, their splendid dreamings being as barren as splendid. The world of knowledge has become wider, clearer, richer beyond all precedent, in these modern times, because men have learned that knowledge must be applied if it is to be increased. And this is the order in the moral universe. The Scriptures associate knowledge with action (Colossians 1:9, 10; Psalm 34:8; Proverbs 1:7; John 7:17). The examples of Scripture are to the same effect. Men acted on the little light they had and received more (Acts 18:24-28). Observe: 1. It is only through obedience that we get knowledge. It is only in obedience that light passes into knowledge; otherwise our light is opinion, imagination, speculation, sentiment. In action — perception, contemplation, speculation — become that real, solid, influential treasure we call knowledge. Anyone can easily realize the truth of this who passes from the circle of speculative and controversial writers to listen to the confessions of the members of the Christian Church. In the merely literary world what universal uncertainty! Philosophers and speculative theologians are as men "who beat the air." It is cloudland, and any breath of wind changes the entire aspect of the misty imagery; there is no fixity, no solidity, no assurance. Listen to the sincere, earnest, practical members of the Church, and they speak that which "they do know." There is a definitiveness, depth, certainty, and power in their convictions. "I know that my Redeemer liveth," etc. "I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded," etc. "One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see." "We know that if this earthly house of our tabernacle were dissolved," etc. This depth, and fulness, and blessedness of persuasion can only be realized through obedience. Do, and you shall know. 2. It is only through obedience that we retain knowledge. Not to act out what we know is to lose it, as men forget a language they cease to speak. The Apostle recognizes this: "Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered (to be comprehended), seeing ye are (have become) dull of hearing." They were deficient in quickness of spiritual apprehension, and lost their hold upon high spiritual truth, and this was the result of their backsliding life. We hold the light on the condition of using it; and neglecting to use it, the "light within us becomes darkness," and of all darkness that darkness is the most intense and hopeless. 3. It is only through obedience that we increase spiritual knowledge. The dawn of truth will pass to the noon, only whilst we do the work God gives us to do. Do you wish to comprehend more clearly the love of God in dying for men? You will not gain the light you covet by merely studying the various theories of the Atonement. Believe in God's love as declared in the cross; imitate the principle in your own life, and you "shall comprehend with all saints the length, and breadth, and depth, and height, and know the love of God which passeth knowledge." Do you wish for more light on the question of the Divine element in the Scriptures? Commune with their doctrines in your heart, act out their precepts, and you shall find what you seek better than by reading a thousand philosophical treatises on inspiration. Do you wish to understand more fully the essential nature of morality? Be moral. Be truthful, honest, just, pure, and your practical goodness will shed most light on the true theory of virtue. (W. L. Watkinson.) Parallel Verses KJV: If any man have ears to hear, let him hear. |
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