RELIGION versus GRACE
The Light gets Brighter
Proverbs 4:18 is used by a number of religious groups to support the idea of progressively “revealed doctrinal truth” through their unique, exclusive channel. This concept is prevalent among the Unification Movement, Children of God, Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses etc.
The context of Proverbs 4 clearly centers on parental training. Solomon mentions his parents, David and Bathsheba, training him in the wisdom of the Law – see verse 3 above. Solomon is not discussing doctrinal or organizational enlightenment but encouraging his own sons not to break the cycle of parental wisdom that he had received. He contrasts this with the wicked person’s crooked lifestyle.
Here is an old illustration used by C T Russell: “A new view of truth never can contradict a former truth. “New light” never extinguishes older “light,” but adds to it. If you were lighting up a building containing seven gas jets you would not extinguish one every time you lighted another but would add one light to another and they would be in harmony and thus give increase of light: So is it with the light of truth; the true increase is by adding to, not by substituting one for another.” Zions Watch Tower, 1881 Feb p.188
The Light gets Brighter
When I [Solomon] was a son with my father [David], tender and the only son in the sight
of my mother [Bathsheba], … the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more
(brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day Proverbs 4:3,18, Amplified
of my mother [Bathsheba], … the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more
(brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day Proverbs 4:3,18, Amplified
Proverbs 4:18 is used by a number of religious groups to support the idea of progressively “revealed doctrinal truth” through their unique, exclusive channel. This concept is prevalent among the Unification Movement, Children of God, Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witnesses etc.
The context of Proverbs 4 clearly centers on parental training. Solomon mentions his parents, David and Bathsheba, training him in the wisdom of the Law – see verse 3 above. Solomon is not discussing doctrinal or organizational enlightenment but encouraging his own sons not to break the cycle of parental wisdom that he had received. He contrasts this with the wicked person’s crooked lifestyle.
Here is an old illustration used by C T Russell: “A new view of truth never can contradict a former truth. “New light” never extinguishes older “light,” but adds to it. If you were lighting up a building containing seven gas jets you would not extinguish one every time you lighted another but would add one light to another and they would be in harmony and thus give increase of light: So is it with the light of truth; the true increase is by adding to, not by substituting one for another.” Zions Watch Tower, 1881 Feb p.188
| Underlying all scripture is Jesus Christ. Perhaps we have been controlled to think what light, but it's not what is the light it's who is the light. He is the light, our wisdom and righteousness! (John 1:4,9; 1 Cor 1:30) Is the reality of the person of Jesus becoming brighter to you along your personal road? |  |
Praise God that you are seeing and knowing Jesus with increasing clarity
