To Our Dear Young Christians:
We were talking together recently about the reasons to be found in the Scriptures for a Christian’s not doing some things that are common enough in the world, and, in answer to your wish, I am putting in writing the thoughts I then expressed.
The Lord Jesus, in His prayer when about to leave the world (John 17), used an expression which long ago first made a deep impression on my heart. I refer to verse 16:
“They (those who have believed) are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
I yet ask myself, after many years, Do I really enter into this amazing truth? I mingle with the world daily, of necessity, but “am not of the world.” How is this to be exhibited, if at all, in my daily life? The Scriptures give no direction for believers to wear outward distinguishing marks, such as peculiar clothing, or other things which would call attention to us. Indeed, I gather a warning against this sort of thing from Matthew, Chapter 6 and 23:5.
Nevertheless, the Word of God is far from silent on the subject of the believer’s conduct in the world. Let us glance at a few passages, having in mind the practices of smoking—long indulged by men, and of late finding an ever increasing share of women among its devotees—of card playing, theater-going, dancing, and of indulging in beer and stronger alcoholics, all of which are very common in the world, and Christians are, sad to say, evidently being affected by these things.
We may turn first to the 119th Psalm, verse 105: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” and to 2 Timothy 3:15-1715And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:15‑17), from which, for brevity, I quote only a part:
“All Scripture... is profitable for... instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”
Believers who slight the Word of God, do so at their peril; it is this, more than all other causes combined, that explains the widespread spiritual paralysis of our times.
Romans 12 and the following chapters are full of much needed and often neglected practical instructions for believers, young and old, and I call attention particularly to the first five verses of the 12th chapter. They furnish the foundation upon which the details of Christian practice of a right sort depend, the substance of an acceptable life before God.
In verse 1, every believer is sought to present his body as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable (well pleasing) unto God. Truly, it is the Apostle Paul beseeching, but he was expressing the mind and will of our God and Father concerning us, His children.
Then, in verse 2 we find, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed (transfigured) by the renewing of your mind.”
These are weighty statements; if only they were grasped and entered upon by God’s beloved people everywhere! I call attention to the fact that the word in the original tongue which is here translated “transformed” is found but four times in the Scriptures, twice to describe the appearance of the Lord on the mountain of transfiguration (Matt. 17:22And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. (Matthew 17:2); Mark 9:22And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. (Mark 9:2)), and twice referring to believers, the remaining reference being 2 Corinthians 3:1818But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18), where the word is translated “changed,” but the “change” is from an earthly to a heavenly condition. We desire humbly to confess that our measure of realization of the transforming or transfiguration (moral, not a physical change) urged upon us in Romans 12:22And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2) is far, far too small. May it increase more and more, to the glory of God!
We turn now to Romans 13:1414But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Romans 13:14) and find, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.”
Perhaps it is asked, What are the “lusts of the flesh”? It is always best to look for the answer to our questions about the Scriptures in the Scriptures themselves, and while there are other passages to which helpful reference may be made, Galatians 5:16-2616This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:16‑26); Ephesians 2:33Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (Ephesians 2:3); 1 John 2:16,1716For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:16‑17) are suggested as disclosing what the “lusts” are, and how largely they pervade the world.
Another helpful word in our considerations of the subject before us is found in Ephesians 4:1-31I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:1‑3). In 1 Corinthians 10:3131Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31), which may next engage our attention, we come to specific, instruction:
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”
These pointed directions for Christian behavior open to our spiritual vision the truly happy path of holiness, and guard us fully against fleshly lusts as to which the Word itself tells us (1 Peter 2:1111Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (1 Peter 2:11)), and experience proves, that they war against the soul.
“He that saith he abideth in Him (Christ) ought himself so to walk even as He walked.”
Then as our blessed example we have Him presented to the heart thus in Romans 15:2323But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; (Romans 15:23): “For even Christ pleased not Himself.” All His desires were holy, but His unvarying object as He passed through the world was not to gratify Himself but to please the Father.
“For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them and rose again.”
Our third passage is 1 John 3:33And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:3): “And every man that hath this hope in Him (Christ) purifieth himself, even as He is pure.”
O my soul, mark that word; I, even I, shall give account of myself to God. Are you prepared for that hour? The life I have lived will be reviewed at the judgment seat of Christ, not to decide my eternal dwelling place, for that, thanks be to God, is settled already, but that I may have His estimation of my course, learn what in it had self as its motive, and what (I trust) really had Christ as its object. All will be seen in the full light of God’s presence.
The passages to which reference has been made leave no room for the worldly things which were mentioned at the outset of this letter. In essence they are evil, taking their origin in the heart of man, a fallen creature and a wanderer from the true God, seeking satisfaction in a judged, condemned world.
(To be continued).