THE joy of knowing that we are saved will not sustain us all the way to glory, though, no doubt, generally, the newborn soul is carried on for a time by this joy. It is like launching a ship. When let go, away she glides, drives ahead for a little distance, then abates her speed, and presently lies still on the water. When noticing her speed the moment she left the slip, you might think that she had some power within her to make her move, but until she gets her masts and sails, or her engines, she will make no progress. How many a young convert, who was set free by the grace of God and started upon life’s waters amid the joy and gladness of watchful friends, now lies idly floating, or it may be drifting; and as if he were not a new creature in Christ, made for a great and glorious end, even to live to the praise of his Lord and Saviour.
What then shall be our first word to the newly-born soul? Decision, yes, decision for Christ. We have no strength in ourselves, Christ is our strength; but God looks to us to give ourselves wholly to Him. God chose us for Himself from all eternity, and in His own time will make us perfectly like Christ, body, soul, and spirit; but now, in our lifetime, being chosen by God, we must choose for God. The world will be against us; Satan will not let us alone; and more, God will allow our faith to be tried; but let us be all for Christ, and may Christ be our all.
The world does not oppose a half-and-hall Christian, for the simple reason that such an one is not wholly for Christ. The world does not oppose itself, and in the things in which we are like the world it will certainly not find fault with us.
But what is the world? This is a practical question. “Is this poor little pleasure the world? Are these innocent amusements the world? Is it the world to do this or that harmless thing?” Be certain, dear friend, that when such apologies are made, the world is not very far from the heart of the inquirer.
But what is the world? The simplest answer is, Live for Christ, and you will find out. There is much more of the world in us and about us than we should otherwise believe.
The easiest way to live as a Christian is to be out and out for Christ. Be gentle, but be firm. Do not try to make an impression on anyone, but seek for grace to be as humble and meek as the Scriptures enjoin upon us. And when we say, “Be decided,” we do not mean, be decided to prove to everybody what you are. Do not blow a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do, and advertise your own goodness; but be decided upon your knees, and with yourself.
It is far easier to go to your friend’s house, and to tell him that you are saved, than to keep the door of your heart shut against your own evil thoughts. It is not necessary that there should be what people might call downright sinful thoughts, but those multitudes of idlers, which when our heart-doors are open, come in and sit down, and occupy our time, and prevent our holding intercourse with Christ.
H. F. W.