God places his people on a path that shines brighter through time

Because of the law of entropy (second law of thermodynamics), every physical light in the universe has a tendency to use up its energy over time and will eventually expire–whether it be a star or a torch or a light bulb. But the Bible tells us of a type of light that does the opposite of what physical lights do. It increases in its strength, energy, and intensity over time–

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18

This light is in the spiritual realm and is ignited by the Father of lights (James 1:17) himself. It’s a path of light exclusively reserved for a certain group–the just.

Who are the just?

The Bible has many things to say about who the just are. The book of Genesis befittingly provides the foundation for identifying them since it’s a book of beginnings, establishing the law of first mention. Primarily, a just person is like Noah, the first person to be called just in Genesis 6:9. He was considered perfect in the sense that he walked with God in obedience to him. This foundation of identifying the just highlights at least two other basic characteristics of the just, which are:

♦ They humbly receive wise instruction to increase in learning (Proverbs 9:9).

♦ They don’t walk with a man-made god, but walk by faith in the only true and living God. As the prophet Habakkuk told us, “…but the just shall live by his faith,” (Habakkuk 2:4) and this faith is confirmed by the apostle Paul in Romans 1:16-17.

Why and how does the path of the just shine brighter over time?

The why and how is intertwined in the characteristics of who the just are. Since they walk with God by faith to receive instruction and increase learning, God reveals his secrets to them to increasingly enlighten them as time progresses. The just are the true progressives, receiving progressive revelation from the Lord as he reveals over time the meaning of his word whether through preaching, studying, godly meditation, prayers, or prophecy (Prov. 25:2; Amos 3:7; Isa. 45:11; 1 Cor. 2:14).

As a result, the just apply God’s word to grow in grace, knowledge, and spiritual maturity (2 Pet. 3:18), experiencing God’s deliverance in their various life situations (Ps. 34:19; Prov. 11:9; 2 Cor. 1:10). All of these things work together so that as they progress on their path of light, it continues to get brighter up to the perfect day.

What and when is the perfect day?

Simply put, the day of perfection is the first resurrection when all saints of God appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive our rewards and take on a glorified, shining resurrected body similar to Christ’s (2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 3:11-15, 15:35-42; Luke 14:14; Acts 24:15; Dan. 12:1c-3; Rev. 20:4-6). We don’t know the specific time when that will happen, but we specifically know it will happen. I’m looking forward to shining brighter than I ever have on that day, thanks to God!