NONCONFORMITY TO THE WORLD.
By George C. Tenny
THE idea of a difference between the true people of God and the world is not simply the teaching of a single precept in God's word, nor is it confined to the instruction of our divine Teacher alone; but from Genesis to Revelation, we find the path and character of God's people marked out in plain distinction from the ways of the world. The writers of the Old Testament agree with the teachings of our Saviour and the apostles that it is impossible for men to conform to the world and be the servants of God. Says the Saviour, “No man can serve two masters; for he will love one and hate the other.” In accordance with this is the declaration of the apostle John, “If any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him.” Paul in his epistle to the Romans says, “Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds.” But, says one, how are we to separate from the world? We are placed here and must have much to do with the world. This is not the idea. We are not required to live entirely secluded from the world, but we are warned against being conformed to, and setting our affections on, the world, or the things of the world. We should keep in view as the object of our lives the glory of God, the salvation of souls, and the joys of the coming kingdom. We should seek to honor God in all our dealings and conversation with the world, by letting our light shine so that they may take knowledge of us that we have learned of Christ, and we are living in accordance with his teachings. What is there to induce us to love the world or the things of the world? Not only the word of God but our own experience and observation teach us that all here is fleeting, and will soon fail us; empty, and cannot satisfy the soul. But to have our affections set on things above, to love God with all our hearts, and to have a hope beyond this vale of tears, is a constant source of happiness. It affords a balm for every sorrow; a light for each cloud of darkness; and we know when we fail on earth we have a treasure eternal in Heaven. How necessary, then, that we give our undivided attention to obtaining that hope. We are placed here to fit and prepare for the eternal kingdom of Christ, and not for our present pleasure or enjoyment; not to gain the riches, honor, or applause of this world, but the approbation of our Saviour who has lived on earth as a pattern for us, and who died to redeem us from our sins. God forbid, then, that our life should be a failure, that we should come short of doing our part in securing the redemption of our souls when Christ our Saviour has done so much for us. Oh may we fully awake to the importance of the work before us, realizing that the time of probation is almost ended, and what we do we must do quickly; for the night cometh when no man can work.