Separation From "The World"

Grace Gems ^ | 19th Century | J.C. Ryle

[CondoleezzaProtege]

A true Christian will strive to do his duty in whatever station or position he finds himself, and to do it well. Whether statesman, or merchant, or banker, or lawyer, or doctor, or tradesman, or farmer, he will try to do his work so that no one can find occasion for fault in him. But he will not allow it to get between him and Christ. If he finds his business beginning to eat up his Sundays, his Bible-reading, his private prayer time, and to bring clouds between him and heaven, he will say, "Stand back! There is a limit. This is as far as you can go, and no further. I cannot sell my soul for position, fame, or gold." Like Daniel, he will make time for communion with God, whatever the cost may be. He will deny himself anything rather than lose his Bible-reading and his prayers. In all this he will find he stands almost alone. Many will laugh at him, and tell him they get along just fine without being so strict and particular. He will not listen. He will resolutely hold the world at arms length, whatever present loss or sacrifice it may seem to entail. He will choose rather to be less rich and prosperous in this world, than not to prosper about his soul. To stand alone in this way, to run counter to the ways of others, requires immense self-denial. But this is genuine Scriptural separation.

It is the excess of...innocent things which a true Christian must watch against, if he wants to be separate from the world. He must not devote his whole heart, and soul, and mind, and strength, and time to them, as many do, if he wishes to serve Christ. There are hundreds of lawful things which are good in moderation, but bad when taken in excess. Healthful medicine taken in small quantities is good, but downright poison when swallowed down in huge doses. In nothing is this so true as it is in the matter of recreations. The use of them is one thing, and the abuse of them is another. The Christian who uses them must know when to stop, and how to say "Enough!" Do they interfere with his private religion? Do they take up too much of his thoughts and attention? Have they a secularizing effect on his soul? Have they a tendency to pull him down to earth? Then let him be very careful. All this will require courage, self-denial, and firmness. It is a line of conduct which will often bring on us the ridicule and contempt of those who know not what moderation is, and who spend their lives in making trifles serious things and serious things trifles. But if we mean to come out from the world we must not mind this. We must be "temperate" even in lawful things, whatever others may think of us. This is genuine Scriptural separation... (Excerpt)

[CondoleezzaProtege]

"Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord." ~ 2 Corinthians 6:17

[gunnyg]

“A true Christian will strive to do his duty in whatever station or position he finds himself, and to do it well. Whether statesman, or merchant, or banker, or lawyer, or doctor, or tradesman, or farmer,...”

???

and soldiers, politicians, police, ...???

[RoadGumby]

What is the purpose of this question? What is it that you are asking?

[gunnyg]

Many (hopefully)will not see it as a question at all,in the usual sense.

The way things are today, some would have place soldiers, police, and politicians, etc. at the top of the list.

Laddies, We’re Behind ENEMY WITHIN Lines...and surrounded, if ya can “grok” that!

And, in any case, my thanks for you post/link to my post at Gunny G’s...

Dick G
aka:
Gunny G
*****

[strongbow]

True spirituality is a disciplined lifestyle. Wish we could just let go and let God but that ain’t the way it works. The obedient Christ centered life requires prayer, scripture reading, and worship. I once heard the the Christian life is like flying a delta winged jet. You either keep moving with power on or you just drop. Not a pilot but don’t think I ever saw a F-106 glide in for a landing. The Spirit always brings me back to the same old template when I wander.