Retaining Blessings: Separation from the World
MANY a soul is lean, not because God has withheld the abundance of his blessings, but because these are not retained. A sandy soil may receive each year a tenfold manuring, but filtration sand leaves nothing behind. The food we eat must be assimilated, and thus become a part of ourselves, else it will impart no strength. A cistern can never become full if the outflow equals or exceeds the inflow. We are in such close contact with the world, that the soul is often drawn away from its God despite the best opportunities for growth. Hence we have exhortations to separate ourselves from sinners, to come out from the world and be separate, to touch not, taste not, handle not, that which is unclean. It is evident that a holy people must be a peculiar people. He who would be transformed must not be conformed. One can never become charged with electricity while he stands upon the earth, but once he is insulated and in contact only with the battery surcharged with the fluid, the fire will come out of him, touch him where you will. So spiritually, we should complete the circle with the throne and break it with the world, and forthwith we shall be “full of light,” and “out of us will flow” both great and gracious influences.