SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jun 3, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 21.

SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED.

“The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Our Lord clearly set forth that the evidences of his dominion among men did not consist of material things, nor in such characteristics as were tangible to the eyes of this world; but in those things which are spiritually discerned. The way of the worldly-minded is to regard the kingdom as material; so that sound is sense, much and eloquent talk is the power of God, many people attending the services shows the favor of God, a fine house and a good income is the blessing of Heaven, and social hilarity is spiritual exaltation, and so on; all of which is directly in the face of the divine teaching.

The manifestation of the reign of Christ is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. These are not obtrusive, they are not demonstrative. They are not discernible in finely-dressed assemblies, nor in elegant sanctuaries, nor large contributions. Often and generally the more of these evidences of prosperity and favor, the less fruit of the Spirit; and in such cases the power of the Holy Spirit will be felt amid humble surroundings, where two or three are gathered in the name of the Lord; where some saint has come to minister to one in need, or to join with others in talking of holy things. Oh, the blessedness of the kingdom, when the “conversation is in Heaven,” and not in hollow platitudes! Would that every seeker for the truth as it is in Jesus might come into this spiritual apprehension of divine things, instead of moulding them into shapes and words that stand for the things of the flesh, even though they be called holy. —New England Evangelist.