Spurgeon: September AM
* 09/11/AM
"Be ye separate."
--2 Corinthians 6:17
The Christian, while in the world, is not to be of the world.
He should be distinguished from it in the great object of his
life . To him, "to live," should be "Christ." Whether he eats,
or drinks, or whatever he does, he should do all to God's glory.
You may lay up treasure; but lay it up in heaven, where neither
moth nor rust doth corrupt, where thieves break not through nor
steal. You may strive to be rich; but be it your ambition to be
"rich in faith," and good works. You may have pleasure; but when
you are merry, sing psalms and make melody in your hearts to the
Lord. In your spirit , as well as in your aim, you should
differ from the world. Waiting humbly before God, always
conscious of His presence, delighting in communion with Him, and
seeking to know His will, you will prove that you are of
heavenly race. And you should be separate from the world in your
actions . If a thing be right, though you lose by it, it must
be done; if it be wrong, though you would gain by it, you must
scorn the sin for your Master's sake. You must have no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
reprove them. Walk worthy of your high calling and dignity.
Remember, O Christian, that thou art a son of the King of kings.
Therefore, keep thyself unspotted from the world. Soil not the
fingers which are soon to sweep celestial strings; let not these
eyes become the windows of lust which are soon to see the King
in His beauty--let not those feet be defiled in miry places,
which are soon to walk the golden streets--let not those hearts
be filled with pride and bitterness which are ere long to be
filled with heaven, and to overflow with ecstatic joy.
Then rise my soul! and soar away,
Above the thoughtless crowd;
Above the pleasures of the gay,
And splendours of the proud;
Up where eternal beauties bloom,
And pleasures all divine;
Where wealth, that never can consume,
And endless glories shine.