In all ages the "Spirit of Christ which was in them" (1 Peter 1:11) has made God's true children the light of the people of their generation. Joseph was a light bearer in Egypt. In his purity and benevolence and filial love he represented Christ in the midst of a nation of idolaters. While the Israelites were on their way from Egypt to the Promised Land, the true-hearted among them were a light to the surrounding nations. Through them God was revealed to the world. From Daniel and his companions in Babylon, and from Mordecai in Persia, bright beams of light shone out amid the darkness of the kingly courts. In like manner the disciples of Christ are set as light bearers on the way to heaven; through them the Father's mercy and goodness are made manifest to a world enshrouded in the darkness of misapprehension of God. By seeing their good works, others are led to glorify the Father who is above; for it is made manifest that there is a God on the throne of the universe whose character is worthy of praise and imitation. The divine love glowing in the heart, the Christlike harmony manifested in the life, are as a glimpse of heaven granted to men of the world, that they may appreciate its excellence. 42

I enhver tidsalder har »Kristi ånd i dem« (1Pet. 1,11) ført Guds sande børn til folkets lys i deres samtid. Josef var en lysbærer i Ægypten. Ved sin renhed, sine gode gerninger og sin sønlige kærlighed var han en fremstilling af Kristus midt iblandt et folk af afgudsdyrkere. Medens israelitterne var på vandring fra Ægypten til det forjættede land, var de trofaste iblandt dem et lys for de omkringboende folkeslag. Gennem dem blev Gud åbenbaret for verden. Fra Daniel og hans medbrødre i Babylon og fra Mordokaj i Persien skinnede klare lysstråler ud i det mørke, som rådede ved de kongelige hoffer. På lignende måde er Kristi disciple sat til at være lysbærere på vejen til himmelen; gennem dem åbenbares Faderens miskundhed og godhed for en verden, som er indhyllet i mørke, fordi den misforstår Gud. Ved at se deres gode gerninger ledes andre til at ære Faderen i det høje; for derved lægges det for dagen, at der på verdensaltets trone er en Gud, hvis karakter for tjener pris og efterligning. Den guddommelige kærlighed, der gløder i hjertet, og den Kristusprægede harmoni, der åbenbarer sig i livet, er som et glimt fra himmelen, der tilstås verdslige mennesker, for at de må kunne værdsætte dets ophøjede herlighed.