THE CHILDREN'S RADIANCE

One of the Bible descriptions of the gospel is that it is "the radiancy of the glad tidings of the glory of the Christ". We know, of course, and enjoy in our spirits the fact that the gospel has brought tidings of salvation and the forgiveness of sins through the shed blood of Jesus. As is often said the gospel meets all the needs of our souls however young or old we may be. We find in Christ a righteousness suitable in every way to a holy God. Yet a further wonder of the gospel is that our gaze is directed away even from our needs and our own selves to be occupied with the outshining of the One who has died for us and lives again.

This radiancy may be likened to a sunbeam which falls with golden light upon even the vilest object on earth. If traced back to its source it brings us to the glorious sun in the heavens. Thus the gospel is a blessed beam of heavenly grace shining into our hearts to lead them to the place whence it comes - from the Lord Jesus Christ at the right hand of God. We cannot look upon the sun itself but we know it by its radiance. Likewise we cannot comprehend God Himself but know Him by the "radiancy ... of the glory of the Christ who is the image of God". A child indwelt by the Holy Spirit is able to know God far better than an unconverted person with the greatest mental power.

A precious gem, seen in sunlight, has a reflected radiance of its own as a product of the Creator's workmanship. The Scripture speaks of "a bag of gems". Over twenty precious and rare stones are mentioned in God's word, so if we had all these in a bag together it would be a valuable possession. Yet this is just what we have in the Scriptures! Each verse like a stone reflects heavenly light in some beautiful colour which often changes as the gem is moved in the sunbeam. Thus we may at different times see unexpected radiancies in a few words of the Bible. Believers too are precious gems of divine handiwork and differ in radiance as the stars differ in glory. Those who know the stars tell us that many that look small are really the great ones! Divine wisdom has placed us all where our radiance will serve His purpose best. Can you trace the gems in the Bible?

J.C.Evershed