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We are to Reveal the Principles of Heaven, May 5
Come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch
not the unclean things; and I will receive you.
2 Corinthians 6:17
.
Professed Christians yearly expend an immense sum upon useless and perni-
cious indulgences, while souls are perishing for the Word of life. God is robbed in
tithes and offerings, while they consume upon the altar of destroying lust more
than they give to relieve the poor or for the support of the gospel. If all who
profess to be followers of Christ were truly sanctified, their means, instead of
being spent for needless and even hurtful indulgences, would be turned into the
Lord’s treasury, and Christians would set an example of temperance, self-denial,
and self-sacrifice. Then they would be the light of the world.
The world is given up to self-indulgence. “The lust of the flesh, and the lust
of the eyes, and the pride of life” control the masses of the people. But Christ’s
followers have a holier calling. “Come out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean.” In the light of God’s Word we are
justified in declaring that sanctification cannot be genuine which does not work
this utter renunciation of the sinful pursuits and gratifications of the world.
To those who comply with the conditions, “Come out from among them, and
be ye separate,... and touch not the unclean,” God’s promise is, “I will receive
you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith
the Lord Almighty” (
2 Corinthians 6:17, 18
). It is the privilege and duty of every
Christian to have a rich and abundant experience in the things of God. “I am the
light of the world,” said Jesus. “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have the light of life” (
John 8:12
). “The path of the just is as the shining
light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (
Proverbs 4:18
). Every
step of faith and obedience brings the soul into closer connection with the Light
of the world, in whom there is “no darkness at all.” The bright beams of the Sun
of Righteousness shine upon the servants of God, and they are to reflect His rays.
As the stars tell us that there is a great light in heaven with whose glory they are
made bright, so Christians are to make it manifest that there is a God on the throne
of the universe whose character is worthy of praise and imitation. The graces
of His Spirit, the purity and holiness of His character, will be manifest in His
witnesses.—
The Great Controversy, 475, 476
.
Our work in this world is to reveal the pure principles that are current in
heaven.—
The Upward Look, 291
.
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