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Dare you be Different?, February 12
Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a
peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who
hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
1 Peter 2:9
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The warning that the Son of man is soon to come in the clouds of
heaven has become to many a familiar tale. They have left the waiting,
watching position. The selfish, worldly spirit manifested in the life reveals
the sentiment of the heart, “My lord delayeth his coming.” ...
The same spirit of selfishness, of conformity to the practices of the
world, exists in our day as in Noah’s. Many who profess to be children of
God follow their worldly pursuits with an intensity that gives the lie to their
profession. They will be planting and building, buying and selling, eating
and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the last moment of
their probation. This is the condition of a large number of our own people....
My soul is burdened as I see the great want of spirituality among us.
The fashions and customs of the world, pride, love of amusement, love of
display, extravagance in dress, in houses, in lands—these are robbing the
treasury of God, turning to the gratification of self the means which should
be used to send forth the light of truth to the world....
The children of the light and of the day are not to gather about them
the shades of night and darkness which encompass the workers of iniquity.
On the contrary, they are to stand faithfully at their post of duty as light
bearers, gathering light from God to shed upon those in darkness. The
Lord requires His people to maintain their integrity, touching not—that is,
imitating not—the practices of the ungodly.
Christians will be in this world “an holy nation, a peculiar people,”
showing forth the praises of Him who hath called them “out of darkness into
his marvellous light.” This light is not to grow dim, but to shine brighter and
brighter unto the perfect day.... The thrilling truth that has been sounding in
our ears for many years, “The Lord is at hand; be ye also ready,” is no less
the truth today than when we first heard the message.
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