The things that have no place in Christ’s life should have none in ours. This rule positively forbids the members of Christ from participating in those enterprises of the people of the world which have for their object the betterment of the world, and the improvement of the temporal conditions of those who dwell therein. Many of these who are Christians, in name at least, think it narrow-mindedness and fanaticism to say that the members of Christ should not take part with the leaders of the world in their philanthropic and other world enterprises. But they lose sight of the fact that the rulers of this world crucified the Lord of glory (1 Cor. 2:88Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:8)) and that their interests in the world are diametrically opposed to His.
The natural man is well satisfied with the world, and is proud of its great institutions. Moreover, the prince of this world still points to “all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them,” calling attention to the numerous libraries, hospitals, asylums, universities, and the like, as evidence of the great progress of the world in goodness.
But our Lord Jesus Christ, “the faithful and true witness,” testified of the world that “the works thereof are evil” (John 7:77The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. (John 7:7)), and those who accept His testimony, and judge not by outward appearance, understand clearly that the great works referred to above are but the result of man’s efforts to make the world a healthy, safe and pleasant place to dwell in, apart from God.
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord; but the prayer of the upright is His delight.”