Not Of the World

"Be separate from them."  2 Corinthians 6:17

The Christian, while in the world, is not to be of the world. He should be distinguished from it in the great object of his life. To him, "to live" should be "Christ." (Philippians 1:21) Whether he eats or drinks or whatever he does, he should do it all to God's glory. (1 Corinthians 10:31) You may lay up treasure; but lay it up in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy, where thieves do not break in and steal. (Matthew 6:20) You may work to be rich; but make it your ambition to be "rich in faith" (James 2:5) and good works. You may pursue pleasure; but when you are happy, sing psalms and make melody in your hearts to the Lord. In your spirit, as well as in your aim, you should differ from the world. Waiting humbly before God, always conscious of His presence, delighting in fellowship with Him, and seeking to know His will, you will prove that you are a citizen of heaven. And you should be separate from the world in your actions. If a thing is right, though you lose by doing it, it must be done; if it is wrong, though you would gain from it, you must reject the sin for your Master's sake. You must have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them. Walk worthy of your high calling and dignity. Remember, Christian, that you are a son of the King of kings. Therefore, keep yourself unstained from the world. Do not soil the fingers that are to serve the King. Do not let your eyes become the windows of lust, eyes that will soon see the King in His beauty. Do not let your feet, which are soon to walk the golden streets, be defiled in dirty places. Do not allow your heart to be filled with pride and bitterness, but prepare it to be filled with heaven and to overflow with ecstatic joy. Then rise my soul! and soar away, Above the thoughtless crowd; Above the pleasures of the day. And splendors of the proud; Up where eternal beauties bloom, And pleasures all divine; Where wealth, that never can consume,And endless glories shine.
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From Morning & Evening revised and edited by Alistair Begg