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No Probation After Christ Comes
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from your earthly treasure. At times when, contrary to your wishes
and calculations, means was passing from you into the enemy’s
ranks, and was thus lost to the cause of God, you have seemed much
perplexed and troubled. Talents of means have been entrusted to
you by the Master for you to improve to His glory. You are His
steward and should be very cautious lest you neglect your duty. You
are naturally a world-loving man and will be inclined to claim as
your own the talents of means committed to your care. But, “Give
an account of thy stewardship” will be heard by you by and by.
The children of God are wise when they trust in that wisdom
alone which comes from above, and when they have no strength but
that which is from God. Separation from the friendship and spirit
of the world is needful for us if we would be united to the Lord and
abide in him. Our strength and our prosperity consist in our being
connected with the Lord, chosen and accepted of Him. There can be
no union between light and darkness. God intends that His people
shall be a peculiar people, separate from the world, and be living
examples of holiness, that the world may be enlightened, convicted,
or condemned, according as they treat the light given them. The
truth that has been brought before the understanding, the light that
has shone upon the soul, will judge and condemn if it be neglected
or turned from.
In this degenerate age, error and darkness are preferred rather
than light and truth. The works of many of Christ’s professed follow-
ers will not bear the test when examined by the light that now shines
upon them. For this cause, many do not come to the light lest it shall
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be made manifest that their works are not wrought in God. Light
discovers, makes manifest, the evil hidden under darkness. Men of
the world and men who are Christ’s servants indeed may be alike
in outward appearance; but they are servants of two masters whose
interests are in decided opposition to each other. The world does
not understand or discern the difference; but there is an immense
distance, a vast, separation, between them.
Says Christ: “Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you
out of the world.” The true followers of Christ cannot enjoy the
friendship of the world and at the same time have their life hid with
Christ. The affections must be withdrawn from the treasures of earth
and transferred to the heavenly treasure. How difficult was it for the