[April 12th, 1857.]
I. What is the world?
The terms used are and . They are very different in signification, but often the same in sense. In such connections as “Ye are not of the world,” “As I am not of the world,” “Love not the world,” “The world hateth you,” and the like, it means the mass of unrenewed men, as distinguished from the Church, or people of God. The world in this sense belongs to Satan; it is his kingdom. It has a reigning spirit. It has its laws and maxims. Its manners and customs are determined by its reigning spirit. It has its objects of desire and pursuit; and it has its consummation, which is perdition.
II. What is it to be conformed to the world?
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It is to be inwardly like men of the world, in the governing principle of our lives; that is, to have a worldly spirit, a spirit occupied with, and interested in worldly things; a mercenary, selfish, earthly spirit.
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It is to allow ourselves to be governed by the maxims and manners of the world, so that with us the question is not, What is right or wrong? What is agreeable to the will of God? but What do men do? What is the custom of society? or What does public sentiment command? To this the most slavish and ruinous subjection is rendered by the mass of men, and by many who call themselves Christians.
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It is to allow ourselves to be carried away by the world, so as to be undistinguishable from men of the world in our manner of living, i.e., (a.) As to the objects which we seek. (b.) As to our amusements. (e.) As to our general conduct.
III. The consequences of this conformity
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Those who identify themselves with the world, who are not distinguishable from it in their spirit, their pursuits, their principles of action, their mode of living, will undoubtedly perish with the world. If not separated from it here, they will not be separated from it hereafter.
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It obliterates all distinction between the Church and the world. It destroys the power of the Church for good. It belies the profession of its members. They profess to renounce the world, the flesh, and the devil; and this profession is constantly contradicted, when professing Christians are as eager in the pursuit of wealth, as gay and devoted to frivolous amusements, as unscrupulous in their business habits as other men.
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It is destructive to spirituality. It is impossible to live near to God, and yet be conformed to the world. It brings the Christian into innumerable dangers and temptations. It grieves the Spirit of God, and leads him to withdraw his influences.
IV. By what rule are we to determine what is, and what is not, sinful conformity to the world? This is more a theoretical, than a practical difficulty. 1. The man who is really filled with the Spirit of Christ, and devoted to his service, will not find much difficulty in determining what is, and what is not sinful conformity. 2. There are many things which the world does, which are in themselves sinful, and which, of course, Christians should avoid. 3. With regard to things indifferent, the rule laid down by the Scriptures is, that one man should not judge another, but determine for himself what is, and what is not injurious to his spiritual interests. 4. Another rule is that we are bound to avoid things in themselves indifferent, even though harmless to ourselves, which are injurious to others.
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Another rule is that we should avoid things innocent in themselves, which by association are connected in fact, or in the minds of men with evil, as cards, dancing, the theater, etc.
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The same rule as to particulars of dress and modes of living does not apply to all persons and places. It depends on usage, on rank, or on other adventitious circumstances. There is great danger of becoming pharisaical, and making religion consist in externals.
V. How should ministers act in endeavoring to prevent conformity to the world?
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They should set a good example in themselves and in their families.
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They should labor to promote a spirit of devoted piety, and get their people occupied and interested in good.
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They should enlighten their consciences, and endeavor to govern them by motives rather than by coercion.
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They should never resort to Church discipline for anything which is not forbidden in the word of God. The only ground of discipline is an offense.
← 158. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. John 7:17. He that is of God, heareth God’s words; ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. John 8:47 · Contents · 160. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth not after me, is not worthy of me. Matt. 10:38 →