OPPOSITION TO LIGHT

     Akin to that negative disposition which shrinks from the light of the Spirit will be found a positive tendency of opposition to the light. When a person yields to this spirit of hatred for the things of God he forfeits grace, but involuntary hatred is one of the characteristics of carnality, and manifests its presence from the very nature of the case -- from necessity. Paul says, "The flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary the one to the other."

     In his Christian Perfection, Fletcher brings out this thought:

     The "lusts" of the sinful heart so hate the light of the Spirit and Jesus Christ as the embodiment of this light that they urged men on in their wicked determination to crucify the Lord of glory. The heart that groans for deliverance, recognizing that the same principles which crucified Christ are festering within, is seized with an abhorrence and declares:

     This hatred for the light appears when the light is seen, and when it is acknowledged to be light. Grace says, "Good is the will of the Lord, I will obey," but carnality says, "This is too hard, I will not obey." Then begins the struggle between carnality and grace, and the outcome of the struggle proves which is the stronger in any given case. If grace triumphs and the light is accepted, grace increases; if uncleanness triumphs, and the light offered is rejected, grace decreases while depravity more strongly fortifies its position. This failure to walk in the light may be only for the time being, as, speaking to a certain individual about his soul, or going to a street meeting, and may be of such a nature as to decrease grace or grieve the Spirit but not altogether forfeit the favor of God; but it may become actual rebellion against God which will forfeit all grace. The former is not actual rebellion, but simply a failure to accept some heavy cross because it is contrary to the natural inclinations; it is not willful acceptance of sin and rejection of God, but only a transient failure to quickly obey or to gladly walk in all the light. The latter is virtually saying to God, "I will not accept the light, I will not obey." This is a very close line, but one that, in justice to the truth and experience, must be drawn.

     To teach that every time a person so far yields to the shrinking inclinations of his natural heart as not to quickly and gladly obey he loses all grace is holding too rigid a line; but, on the contrary, to say that a person can keep saved and put himself in the least degree in actual opposition to the acknowledged light and will of God is allowing rein to the tendencies of inward sin.

     The point at which actual sin enters is where the soul yields willful, intended obedience to the promptings of inherent opposition to light. But let it be remembered that failure to walk in the light will in a measure curtail the blessings of God which have been wont to come on the soul, and that repeated and persistent failures will eventually reach the proportion of rebellion. We cannot tell where this line may be in any given case, and, as a consequence, it is unsafe to trifle in the least with conviction. Ready obedience will bring abundant grace for every need.

     The carnal mind is not subject to the law of God nor can it be induced to worship Him. The only way it can be properly handled is by death. This inherent opposition to light proceeds from the same root as did that spirit which possessed Satan when he sought to tear God from His seat and enthrone himself; or the serpent when he came to Eden and overthrew the handiwork of God. It proceeds from the same root as did that spirit which caused Jeroboam to set up the golden calf, and Judas to sell his Lord. Here is the fruitful seed which in its awful but legitimate development has shed the blood of the martyrs of all ages, which has torn down the altars of the Lord and set up those of Baal, and which has substituted a cold, lifeless, lightless form for the glory of ancient days.

     Although in the saved heart this disposition is held in subjection by grace, yet it is like a bound but defiant criminal, continually wrenching at his chains, gnashing his teeth and cursing his conquerors; ready at any time to spring forth and shout, "Hail Caesar, and down with Christ." The only safety is in deliverance.