The Shining Path: From Dawn to Perfect Day

The path of the just is as the shining light, growing brighter unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18). The essentials of a righteous man's character remain constant across all ages. His life-course resembles not the sun itself—which represents the Justifier, Yahweh—but rather light cast upon those whom the Sun of Righteousness illuminates.

The converted life begins like morning light: an uncertain struggle between darkness and dawn, quivering long in the balance. Yet once this contest begins, the result is certain, though it may appear doubtful temporarily. The light shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Consider planetary motion: as earth's surface gradually turns toward the sun, darkness diminishes. Where it turns away, darkness and cold persist. In proportion as it turns toward him, atmosphere grows clearer until the sun appears fully and day becomes perfect. The righteous man, arrested in darkness by a love in Christ he does not yet comprehend, is secretly drawn toward Him. As he draws nearer, his light increases until he stands in the Lord's presence.

Contrast this with the wicked: their darkness is internal, carried within them wherever they journey. An evil heart of unbelief —kardia ponera apistias—cannot escape its own blindness. To every place and season, the spiritually blind encounter only darkness.

The way to obtain light is to turn from sin. The righteous man possesses understanding brightened by rays of Divine truth alone.