“Let Your Light So Shine”
In History Of The Church (131), Eusebius records the reasons for the conversion, from Greek philosophy to Christ, of a man named Justin who lived in the second century. When the Savior said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven,” he surely had such testimonies as Justin’s in mind.
I myself found satisfaction in Plato’s teaching, and used to hear the Christians abused, but when I found them fearless in the face of death and all that men think terrible, it dawned on me that they could not possibly be living in wickedness and self-indulgence. For how could a self-indulgent or licentious person who took pleasure in (enjoying the lusts of the flesh) greet death with a smile, as if he wanted to be deprived of the things he loved most? Would he not rather strive by all means to prolong his present existence indefinitely, and keep out of sight of the secular authorities, rather than give himself up to certain death?
“He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matt. 10:39). “For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36, 37). “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).
The value of a thing often is determined by what one is willing to give for it. What price are you willing to pay for the pearl of great price? “Buy the truth, and sell it not” (Prov. 23:23)!
Truth
Magazine Vol. XLV: 10 p5
May 17,
2001