We are not at liberty to unite with the present world as regards its aims and principles and pleasures. We do not belong to it if we belong to Christ; for he expressly said, "I am not of this world," and he affirmed the same fact of his disciples, saying, "Ye are not of this world." There are some who say, "That was all very well for Christ and his apostles, but we are not Christ nor his apostles." Those who speak in this style give evidence that they are yet strangers and foreigners, and aliens from the commonwealth of Israel; for the house of God is one, and the principle appertaining to one part belongs to all. John says, "He that saith he abideth in him, ought himself so to walk EVEN AS HE WALKED"; and Paul tells us as concerning his own case, that he obtained mercy that Christ might set him forth "for a pattern to them that should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting."
He also plainly commands us to be followers of him as he was of Christ. From this it will appear how unscriptural and dangerous is that style of talk which would seek to excuse modem believers from aiming at the standard exhibited in Christ and the apostles. There is no other saving standard. If we fail of this, we fail altogether: for it is by this we are to be tried. The standard men set up for themselves and one another, will be nowhere in the great day of judgment. They will vanish as the snow does before the heat.
Men may comfort themselves now in measuring themselves by themselves, and by the wicked world outside; but where will be their consolation when Christ refuses to try men by any rule but his own? Therefore it remains that the saints are not of this world. Their sentiment is the one expressed in the Psalm: "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." The world, as at present constituted is, in the aggregate, "the tents of wickedness." It is founded on "the lust of the eye, and the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life." It is, therefore, impossible that a man of God can be a dweller among them or even be content to enjoy their recognition. The saints cannot be friends of the world.
R. Roberts.