Spurgeon: April AM
* 04/06/AM
"Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp."
--Hebrews 13:13
Jesus, bearing His cross, went forth to suffer without the
gate. The Christian's reason for leaving the camp of the world's
sin and religion is not because he loves to be singular, but
because Jesus did so ; and the disciple must follow his Master.
Christ was "not of the world:" His life and His testimony were a
constant protest against conformity with the world. Never was
such overflowing affection for men as you find in Him; but still
He was separate from sinners. In like manner Christ's people
must "go forth unto Him." They must take their position "without
the camp," as witness-bearers for the truth. They must be
prepared to tread the straight and narrow path. They must have
bold, unflinching, lion-like hearts, loving Christ first, and
His truth next, and Christ and His truth beyond all the world.
Jesus would have His people "go forth without the camp" for
their own sanctification . You cannot grow in grace to any high
degree while you are conformed to the world. The life of
separation may be a path of sorrow, but it is the highway of
safety; and though the separated life may cost you many pangs,
and make every day a battle, yet it is a happy life after all.
No joy can excel that of the soldier of Christ: Jesus reveals
Himself so graciously, and gives such sweet refreshment, that
the warrior feels more calm and peace in his daily strife than
others in their hours of rest. The highway of holiness is the
highway of communion. It is thus we shall hope to win the
crown if we are enabled by divine grace faithfully to follow
Christ "without the camp." The crown of glory will follow the
cross of separation. A moment's shame will be well recompensed
by eternal honour; a little while of witness-bearing will seem
nothing when we are "for ever with the Lord."