Love not the World

"If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John ii. 15. The spirit which is in the world is widely different from the Spirit which is of God; yet many vainly imagine they can unite the two. But as we read in Luke x. 26, so it is between the spirit of the world and the Spirit which is of God. There is a great gulf fixed between them — a gulf which cuts off all union and intercourse ; and this gulf will eternally pre vent the least degree of fellowship in spirit.

If we be of God and have the love of the Father in our hearts, we are not of the world, because whatsoever is of the world is not of God. We must be one or the other. We can not unite heaven and hell — light and darkness. Worldly honor, worldly pleasure, worldly grandeur, worldly designs and worldly pur suits are all incompatible with the love of the Father and with that kingdom of righteous ness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost, which is not of the world, but of God. Therefore, God says : " Be not conformed to the world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." Rom. xii. 2.

As we' look at the professing Christians of to-day, the question arises, Are they not all conformed to the maxims and fashions of this world, even many of those who profess to have been sanctified? But they say the transform ing and renewing here spoken of means, as it says, the mind, not the clothing. But, if the mind be renewed, it must affect the clothing. It is by the Word of God we are to be judged, not by our opinion of the Word; hence, to the law and the testimony. In a like manner the Word also says : " That women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with broidered hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array, but which becometh a woman professing godliness, with good works." 1 Tim. ii. 9, 10; 1 Pet. iii. 3-5. I might quote many passages to the same effect, if I had time or room. Will you not hunt them up, and read carefully and prayerfully for yourselves ?

Dear Christians, is not the low state of pure religion among all the churches the result of this worldly-mindedness ? There is much out ward show ; and doth not this outward show portend the sore judgments of God to be executed upon the ministers and members ? Malachi ii. 7, says : " The priest's lips should keep knowledge," etc. But it is a lamentable fact that too many priests' lips speak vanity. Many profess to teach, but few are able to feed the lambs, while the sheep are dying for lack of nourishment and the true knowledge of salvation.

The priests' office being to stand between God and the people, they ought to know the mind of God toward his people — what the acceptable and perfect will of God is. Under the law, it was required that the priests should be without blemish — having the whole of the inward and outward man as complete, uniform and consistent as it was possible to be under that dispensation; thereby showing the great purity that is required by God in all those who approach near unto him. " Speak unto Aaron and his sons that' they separate themselves," etc. The Lord here gives a charge to the priests, under a severe penalty, that in all their approaches they shall sanctify themselves. Thus God would teach his ministers and people that he is a holy God, and will be worshiped in the beauty of holiness by all those who come into his presence.

Man may fill his office in the church out wardly, and God may in much mercy draw nigh to the people when devoutly assembled to worship him ; but, if the minister has not had previous recourse to the fountain which is opened for sin and uncleanness, and felt the sanctifying and renewing influences of the Holy Ghost, he will feel himself shut out from these divine communications. Oh, that God may baptize the ministry and church with the Holy Ghost and with fire.

By the baptism of fire the church must be purged from its dead forms and notions respect ing the inbeing of sin in all believers till death. The Master said: "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you; abide in me," etc. Oh! blessed union. Christian, God wants to establish your heart unblamable in holiness. 1 Thess. i. 13; iv. 7; Heb. xii. 14; Rom. vi. 19. Will you let him do it, by putting away all filthiness of the flesh as well as of the spirit? "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God ?" etc. 1 Cor. iii. 16, 17; 2 Cor. vi. 16, 17. Thus we will continue to search and find what the will of God is con cerning his children. 1 Thess. iv. 3, 4. Bless God ! we may all have that inward, instantaneous sanctification, whereby the root, the inbeing of sin, is destroyed.

Do not misunderstand me. I am not teach ing absolute perfection, for that belongs to God alone. Nor do I mean a state of angelic or Adamic perfection, but Christian perfection — an extinction of every temper contrary to love.

"Now, the God of peace sanctify you wholly — your whole spirit, soul and body. 2 Thess. v. 23. Glory to the blood !" " Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." Paul says : He is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think. Eph. iii. 20.

Beloved reader, remember that you cannot commit sin and be a Christian, for "He that committeth sin is of the devil." If you are regenerated, sin does not reign in your mortal body; but if you are sanctified, sin does not exist in you. The sole ground of our perfect peace from all the carnal mind is by the blood of Jesus, for he is our peace, whom God hath set forth to be a propiation, through faith in his blood. " By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand" — having entered into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.

Let the blood be the sentinel, keeping the tempter without, that you may have constant peace within; for Satan cannot swim waters. Isa. xxx. 7.