It is natural and right that a child of God should desire and prefer his “own company.” For one with his heart fixed on the Lord Jesus to be suddenly thrust into the constant company of the ungodly—to eat, sleep, and work with them day after day—would be most distressing unless he had a resource from above. We read in the fourth chapter of the Acts that the apostles were arrested and detained for a while; but being let go, they were free to go to “their own company.” When they got there they all had a prayer meeting. Blessed place! Happy occupation!
For one to voluntarily seek the companionship of those who know not God, nor love our Lord Jesus Christ, would expose a sad state of declension. It would savor of what God calls, “Ephraim being joined to his idols.”
The young Christians who have been drawn into the services have no choice of their own as to with whom they live, work, or eat. We have, however, been much pleased with some of the letters from these young men—letters which show that they are seeking to walk as separately as they can under the circumstances, and trying to find some opportunity to be quiet and alone with God. Sometimes they find it can only be for a few minutes, but it is most refreshing and invigorating. Permit us to quote from one letter along this line:
“Last week and the week before I had the Lord’s days off, and had the privilege of remembering our Lord in His death for us. Today I had to stay in camp; so this morning I went to the grove, taking my Bible and hymnbook, and spent the time with the Lord. Surely it is the love of Christ which allows us to have this privilege. This afternoon I am going to visit a few barracks around here and give out Testaments and tracts. I have given out all the ‘Echoes of Grace’ with the story of Pearl Harbor, but I still have some others to give out. I know you are praying for me and the Word given out, and thank you very much. We should all be more interested in the work of our Lord. Some of the men here do not know what the Testament is, and some do not know why Christ died. I told them He died for sinners because He loved them so much, and that He had to in order for us to have everlasting life.”
May the Lord keep this dear young Christian walking thus, and also bless his testimony in the gospel. We discern a needed balance in his remarks. He felt the need of food and refreshment for his own soul, and then sought to help others by carrying the glad tidings of God’s grace in Christ.
Fellow Christian, let us not neglect either the one or the other.
This young man seeking time to be alone with the Lord on the Lord’s day, brings to mind Revelation chapter one and verse ten. The aged and beloved Apostle John was a prisoner on the island of Patmos “for the Word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.” He was cut off from Christian fellowship and not allowed his “own company”; but on the Lord’s day—that blessed day—he was “in the Spirit.” We greatly desire that the young men who are kept from the meetings and from Christian fellowship, find some quiet moments to be alone with the Lord, and know something of the happiness of the Apostle John who was “in the Spirit” at such a time. We would say to them that God is faithful and sufficient for these things. May they use every little opportunity of being alone in His presence. There they will prove the comfort and joy that He can give, no matter where they are.
We would not, however, write a single word to give encouragement to any who, through seeking after advancement, monetary gain, pleasure, or anything else, are found away from the meetings, or the fellowship of the people of God. Neglecting the privileges and blessings that God in grace has given, and preserved to us, betrays a leaving of “first love” (See Rev. 2:4-54Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. (Revelation 2:4‑5)). To allow such things to keep us away from the blessed privilege of remembering our Lord in death, or from the prayer and other meetings, is a slippery road downward, and may end in spiritual shipwreck.
Demas loved this present world, and then departed from the Apostle Paul and a walk of faith. Sad, sad end!
Satan may produce some logical reasons why it is advisable to get ahead in the world. These reasons might be improvement of our home, or the welfare of our children, or provision for the future in this day of unusual conditions; or he might tell us that we need relaxation and rest and therefore we can neglect the assembling of ourselves together (Read Heb. 10:2525Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)). This great enemy may even have some such suggestions come through the lips of true children of God. But, Christians beware of “the wiles of the devil!”