九月十一日
经文: 「你们务要从他们中间出来。」(哥林多后书六:17)
基督徒,虽然在世上,但并不属世界。他应当在他的伟大的生活对象上与世界分别。他应当为“基督”“活着”。他无论是吃、喝,或作什么,都当为了神的荣耀。你可以积攒财宝,但应当积攒在天上,因为那里没有虫子咬,不能锈坏,也不会被贼挖窟窿偷去。你可以努力发财,但应当致力“在信上”和善工上“富足”。你可以寻求快乐,但当你快乐的时候,应当在心中用诗歌来赞美神,应当在你的心灵和目的方面与世有别。谦卑地等候在神面前,常感到祂的同在,乐意与祂相交,寻求祂的旨意,那么,你就证明你是属天的族类了。你也应当在动作上与世人分别。若是一件事是对的,你虽吃亏,也应当作成;若那事是错的,你虽占便宜,也当为你主的缘故斥责那罪。你不当与黑暗的、毫无果效的工作有什么来往,而当责备它们。要在你的道路上看重你的呼召和尊贵的地位。
基督徒啊!要记得你是万王之王的儿子。因此,要不受世界的沾染。你的手指不久就要弹奏天上的琴弦,所以不要使它们被玷污;不要叫你的眼睛成为情欲的窗户。因为不久它们就可看到荣美的君王;不要让你的脚走到污泥之中,因它们不久就要行走在精金的街道上;不要使你的心满了骄傲和苦毒,因为它不久就要盛满天堂的大欢乐。
“我为他们的缘故,自己分别为圣,叫他们也因真理成圣。”
Morning, September 11
Scripture: “Be ye separate.”(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.” Whether he eats, or drinks, or whatever he does, he should do all to God's glory. You may lay up treasure; but lay it up in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, where thieves break not through nor steal. You may strive to be rich; but be it your ambition to be “rich in faith,” and good works. You may have pleasure; but when you are merry, 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 communion with him, and seeking to know his will, you will prove that you are of heavenly race. And you should be separate from the world in your actions. If a thing be right, though you lose by it, it must be done; if it be wrong, though you would gain by it, you must scorn 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, O Christian, that thou art a son of the King of kings. Therefore, keep thyself unspotted from the world. Soil not the fingers which are soon to sweep celestial strings; let not these eyes become the windows of lust which are soon to see the King in his beauty—let not those feet be defiled in miry places, which are soon to walk the golden streets—let not those hearts be filled with pride and bitterness which are ere long 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 gay,
And splendours of the proud;
Up where eternal beauties bloom,
And pleasures all divine;
Where wealth, that never can consume,
And endless glories shine.