Well do I remember trying to "give up" the love of the world, its society, its amusements, and its joys. It was no use. I have stayed at home from them—that was easily done with a little resolution; but all the time I was at home I was wishing I was in the midst of the world's pleasures.
Some seem to think that men of the world do not enjoy it. That is a mistake. They do enjoy it, and ask for more. They indeed drink of its pleasures, but they thirst again. I was told to give up the attractions and the company of this world, and I did try it; but you might as well have tried to stem Niagara or to send the St. Lawrence backward in its flow.
There is no use preaching to a young man to "give up." It is the wrong end of the line. Give up the theater, give up dancing, give up cards, and all such worldly amusements! How can he? These he enjoys. His nature likes them.
We must "receive" before we can "give up." There is no use for a man to try giving up the world till he has something better—a Person—Christ.
There is no use for a man to say he has faith in Christ who is going in for the pleasures and joys of this world. "He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked." 1 John 2:66He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6).
"I believe," says Dr. Chalmers, "in the expulsive power of a new affection." And this comes from God. When a man takes God at His word, and believes he is saved (Acts 16:3131And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:31)), and that he is an heir of God (Rom. 8:1717And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:17)), and he is to be forever with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:1717Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)), as surely do the pleasures of the world drop from him as snow from a coat in a warm room.
Show me a man who has received Christ, who has believed in the gospel, in whom God has planted a new nature which has Christ as its object! There you have a man who has given up the pleasures of the world. He has learned that its joys are but for a season. He has come out from worldly company, for in Christ he has satisfying companionship at all times. He is living a new life, because old things have passed away. Friend, if you have not renounced the pleasures of the world, to find your delight in God and the Word of His grace, you give no evidence whatever that you have received "the Light of life.”