Morning
Time: 4:34 AM PST
"Be ye separate." --2 Corinthians 6:17
The Christian, while in the world, is not to be of the world. He should be
distinguished from it in the great object of his life. To him, "to live,"
should be "Christ." Whether he eats, or drinks, or whatever he does, he should
do all to God's glory. You may lay up treasure; but lay it up in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, where thieves break not through nor steal.
You may strive to be rich; but be it your ambition to be "rich in faith," and
good works. You may have pleasure; but when you are merry, sing psalms and make
melody in your hearts to the Lord. In your spirit, as well as in your
aim, you should differ from the world. Waiting humbly before God, always
conscious of His presence, delighting in communion with Him, and seeking to know
His will, you will prove that you are of heavenly race. And you should be
separate from the world in your actions. If a thing be right, though you
lose by it, it must be done; if it be wrong, though you would gain by it, you
must scorn the sin for your Master's sake. You must have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Walk worthy of your high
calling and dignity. Remember, O Christian, that thou art a son of the King of
kings. Therefore, keep thyself unspotted from the world. Soil not the fingers
which are soon to sweep celestial strings; let not these eyes become the windows
of lust which are soon to see the King in His beauty--let not those feet be
defiled in miry places, which are soon to walk the golden streets--let not those
hearts be filled with pride and bitterness which are ere long to be filled with
heaven, and to overflow with ecstatic joy.
Then rise my soul! and soar away, Above the thoughtless crowd; Above the
pleasures of the gay, And splendours of the proud; Up where eternal beauties
bloom, And pleasures all divine; Where wealth, that never can consume, And
endless glories shine.