Short and sweet, this 26th letter of Newton’s 41 on religious subjects responds to a likeminded brother, reveling in their mutual determination to know Christ better. Modern readers with the same godly desire will receive the most comfort from it.
“Gospel Light Increases!”
1. I am writing now at the first glimmer of dawn, and though the light is faint, it is agreeable as a sign of increasing brightness. Without that, we might complain about the dimness of the day’s first light. In the same way, the first appearing of spiritual life in our souls is the dawn of immortality—far better than the spiritual darkness of our unconverted experience, yet almost nothing in comparison with the glory that shall be revealed.
2. But even this much light from the Sun of righteousness promises us that we shall see the Sun Himself, even Jesus the Lord, in all His glory. For now we ought to be thankful that He enlightens us enough to walk and to work for Him, and to avoid dangerous pits and traps. He also promises our present light will grow stronger and stronger, if we use the appointed means, till one of His angels shall come and bring us into His immediate presence, where our shadows and confusion will be gone forever.
3. It is almost bright enough now that I can put out my candle and write in the daylight. A half hour ago that was out of the question, but since a better light has come, I am glad to do it. Even so, when we have begun to be real Christians and enjoy true gospel light, our former conceptions and foolish plans become unnecessary and forgotten. Remember how Paul put away his religious attainments, such as they were, when once Christ in glory appeared to him (Phil 3.7, 8). Friend, your last letter assures me of our fellowship with him who counted everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as his Lord.
4. Looking outside my study window now, I see the morning beams are falling upon my neighbor’s house before mine, but momentarily we will all bask in the light and the differences in timing will make no difference at all. Some are converted when younger and others when older, but when we’re all in glory, what will it matter? The main thing is that the Lord appoints an unending time for all His chosen ones to be in His light.
5. The case of Nicodemus illustrates many important aspects of gospel doctrine and experience. He is an encouraging example of people seeking the Lord. With a favorable impression of Jesus, Nicodemus came at first, despite much ignorance and fear of man, under the cover of night. He misunderstood Jesus’ first lesson, but eventually the Lord gently opened his eyes and made him see. Then in John 7, Nicodemus stood up for Jesus amidst enemies. Finally, Nicodemus boldly made arrangements for Jesus’ burial when all other disciples had forsaken Him and fled. The Scriptures are true that say, “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD” (Hos 6.3), and, “He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength” (Isa 40.29).
6. With this encouragement, let my soul hope against hope when my graces are pitifully small and sickly, that He who planted them will water His own work and keep them from dying altogether. He is able to make one like a thousand, level mountains, bring fountains from dry rocks, and make the desert blossom like a rose. Whatever sin builds up He can throw down, and He can rebuild whatever sin has demolished. Things impossible for us are easy to Him. He has called us to expect His refreshing return to our souls. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Signed, JN.
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God’s sovereign grace should make confident optimists of us all, even with respect to our own salvation. Our assurance as Christians is founded upon the omnipotence that raises the dead and the faithfulness that promises to complete the good work He has begun in us. It may be barely light now, but noon is coming and it is inevitable.
This letter illustrates how we may be instructed, not only by meditation on the Word, but also by pondering everyday things in the light of the Word. We also behold the good example of Newton spending himself for the good of others at the crack of dawn.
Let these truths go beyond personal comfort to ardent praise of the Lord who so blesses His people. Only the true and living God, revealed in Christ, is a Savior like this, and He loves to hear us say so. Amen. Ω