3. W. H., Belfast. It has been said that the moment we think ourselves Philadelphians we become Laodiceans. In the address of the Lord to Philadelphia, it is what He is to them. We cannot think too much about Him. It is always a bad sign when we are occupied with what we are. May we so behold Him as to be transformed into His blessed likeness.
As to the society you name, I do not know of a word from God to guide me, or you, to join any society on earth. If truly gathered to Christ, surely we are, like Him, not of the world, even as He was not of the world.
There is one thing, perhaps not suspected by you, that may greatly hinder your soul. God is love, and Christ is the full expression of that love. But then you are earnestly desiring to be something also in this matter. We shall always be disappointed if looking in self for love, or happiness, or joy. Even as to all these, we have to say, not “I,” but “Christ:” “Whom, not having seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (1 Pet. 1:88Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1 Peter 1:8).) Read this many times over, and may the Lord show each of us that it is not by being occupied with our love, or with ourselves, but with Christ—yes, in whom—in Him “ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” God is love: it does not say, I am love.
4. T. C., Whitehaven. No doubt this present interval in the world’s history is a period of richest grace; but no one can say how suddenly it may be as it was in the days of Noah (Gen. 6); only then the period or time of God’s longsuffering was made known; now it is not. For the present, then, the scripture says expressly: “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall he saved.” (Acts 2:2121And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Acts 2:21); Rom. 10:1313For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13).) And to the very end: “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev. 22:1717And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17).)
As to Pharaoh, he blasphemously defied the Lord (Exod. 5:22And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go. (Exodus 5:2)), and God utterly gave him up. This will characterize the man of sin, and all his followers, who will be in like manner given up to strong delusion. (2 Thess. 2) The world is fast ripening in lawlessness and blasphemy, in readiness for that day. It has not come yet, for he is not yet revealed. But oh, how soon this may be the case, when the church is gone to be forever with the Lord.
The light we have, and the life, referred to by Jesus in John 8:1212Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12), are eternal life, for it is Himself, and therefore can never be put out or extinguished. How can that which is eternal cease to be? It may, as you say, be sadly hidden; therefore we are each one to shine as Christ here below. (Phil. 2:1515That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; (Philippians 2:15).)
Ο Lord, do Thou Thy sheep protect,
Be Thou our Stay and Guide;
Let Satan’s wiles have none effect,
But keep us near Thy side.
We’re but a feeble few,
Ο Lord, The wolves are fierce and strong;
Oh, keep us faithful to Thy word
The desert way along.
Full well we know Thou ‘rt stronger far
Than man’s or Satan’s rage;
That naught our peacefulness should mar
Thou dost Thyself engage.
Α. A. H.