To a landscape, what a wonderful difference sunshine makes. Without it, the finest prospect loses half its loveliness, but the tamest landscape becomes almost beautiful when lighted up by the sun. Take your stand upon some hill, commanding a wide view, on a dull rainy day, and mark how all the country seems to be more or less of the same leaden hue. Now watch the shower cease and the sun burst out from behind the clouds; and lo, as if by magic, each field stands out in its distinctive color. The golden corn field is no longer confounded with the verdant meadow, and each tree in the wood is clothed with its own shade of green.
As the sun to the landscape, so is Christ to Christianity. He lights up every truth with His own glory. Without Him, the work of salvation becomes a mere “plan” or “scheme.” With Him, it is the greatest proof of the love of our living Lord. I am not surprised that many Christians find Christianity rather a dull thing, and are disappointed with it; just as a person would be who has come to see a fine landscape on a rainy day. The simple reason in both cases is, that the sun is not shining.
I have been struck at Bible readings and other meetings, when doctrines have been discussed, however accurately and truly, how often they seem “dull” and “dry,” but the moment a little of Christ comes in, how it all brightens up as the beauty of “the Sun” is seen and its warmth is felt.
It is the presence of Christ that will give heaven its charm. The glory of the golden street, and the heavenly Jerusalem would be dimmed if deprived of the Lamb who is the light of them. How His presence even on earth lights up the chamber of sorrow; and at the sick-bed, when we have proved the powerlessness of any mere doctrines to relieve or comfort, some simple hymn such as “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds,” or some little word about the Master, often makes all bright.
You can easily distinguish those who really possess Christ as their portion, from those who merely have Christianity, by their bright faces, looking like those who are ever walking in the sunshine.
Carry Christ with you, dear young believer, and you will be welcomed among His people wherever you go. Walk with Him, and whatever the circumstances, your life and heart will ever be in the warmth and sunshine, and will never get dreary or cold.
Christ, then, is the Christian’s sun, the source of all life, light, and heat; so that if we are dead, or dark, or cold, we always know where to go. A few more sunshiny Christians would be a great testimony in this dark world.
I have observed, in an extraordinarily dull and wet season, that a real sunshiny day was valued as it never was before. And now, when before the world the outlook is getting darker and drearier, it is no small testimony to meet those whose lives, and lips, and hearts are all bright with a radiance from a hidden source. Do try, dear believer, to be a sunshiny Christian.