be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing;
and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My
sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” These are the conditions
upon which we may be acknowledged as the sons of God—separation
from the world, and renunciation of those things which delude, and
fascinate, and ensnare.
The apostle Paul declares that it is impossible for the children of
God to unite with worldlings: “Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers.” This does not refer to marriage alone; any intimate relation
of confidence and copartnership with those who have no love for God or
the truth is a snare.
The apostle continues: “For what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and
what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth
with an infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?
for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said: I will dwell
in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be
My people.” In consideration of these facts, he exclaims: “Wherefore
come out from among them, and be ye separate.” Having therefore these
promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the
flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
If we comply with the conditions, the Lord will fulfill to us His
promises. But there is a work for us to do which we should in no wise
neglect. In the strength of Jesus we can perform it aright. We may press
ever onward and upward, constantly growing in grace and in a knowledge
of the truth.
The children of the light and of the day are not to gather about them
the shades of night and darkness which encompass
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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 marvelous light.” This light is not to grow dim, but to shine
brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. Christ’s standard-bearers are
never to be off duty. They have a vigilant foe who is waiting and watching
to take the fort. Some of Christ’s professed watchmen have invited the
enemy into their stronghold, have mingled with them, and in their efforts
to please have broken down the distinction between the children of God
and the children of Satan.
The Lord never designed that our college should imitate other
institutions of learning. The religious element should be the controlling
power. If unbelievers choose this influence, it is well; if those who
are in darkness choose to the light, it is as God would have it. But
to relax our vigilance, and let the worldly element take the lead in
order to secure students, is contrary to the will of God. The strength
of our college is in keeping the religious element in the ascendancy.
When teachers or professors shall sacrifice religious principle to please
a worldly, amusement-loving class, they should be considered unfaithful
to their trust and should be discharged.
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
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. The dearest interests of the church and
people of God, and the destiny of an impenitent and ungodly world, for
