Part 3

Some are afraid of exciting a prejudice against their principles; and their earnest desire to see their dear children living in Christ makes them glad to soften down as much as possible the distinction between His people and the world. I can enter most heartily into such a feeling, and I am persuaded that no wise Christian would ever wish to put a needless cross in the way of his family. Still we must make up our minds to the conviction, that neither they nor we can follow Christ without the cross. There is a cross to be borne, and we shall utterly mislead those who are guided by us if we suppose that it is melted away by modern improvements in society.

We have therefore plainly to face the fact that our Christian principles involve a cross, and we shall never really commend them to others by presenting them in such a modified form as to keep out of sight their true character. If we succeed in persuading young persons to accept such a modification, there is danger of our becoming the unintentional means of deceiving them as to their true position before God.

Others, who feel strongly themselves, are afraid of drawing the line too tight for others, and so causing a reaction when the tension ceases. I can thoroughly enter into these fears, and most fully acknowledge the danger. But I do not believe it is avoided by the parent’s departure from his own principles; but rather by the prayerful and painstaking endeavour, in accordance with those principles, to make his home thoroughly cheerful. It is the greatest possible mistake, to suppose that exciting amusements and large parties are essential to the happiness of the young. On the contrary, I believe that, when the collapse after the excitement is taken into account, they will be found on the whole to diminish it. The real happiness of a young man’s vacation depends on the resources of his home; and the best safeguard against the irritating effect of real consistency is to make the home so thoroughly cheerful that there is no desire for extraneous excitement. This is not always easy, and in all cases requires prayerful self-denial and painstaking. If a family is left to itself, to amuse itself as best it may, who can wonder that the evenings often hang very heavily? But when the dearly beloved mother throws her whole heart into the interests of all around her; when she is always planning for that which may make the day pass pleasantly; always on the look-out for good books and good friends; always ready to deny herself so as to cheer away a dull half-hour, and to throw herself with real interest into all the amusements of her family; and when the father takes his share in all that is going on, his share of interest, if he cannot afford his share of time, and so gives all the support in his power to her on whom the home life must mainly depend for its attractions, it will seldom be found that the young persons crave after excitement, for the simple reason that they are satisfied at home. I need scarcely remark what a rich reward such parents reap for their painstaking, and how deeply thankful they should be, if the Lord so bless their efforts as to make what some call the tightness of the line never felt by those who are gently guided by it.

CONCLUSION.

BUT while these practical suggestions may be helpful to some who are doubtful as to their practical conduct, it is important for us to remember well that the root of conformity to the world is not found in those practices which lie on the surface, but in the deep affections of the natural heart; so that whatever rules we adopt we are conformed to the world when we are living for the things of the world. We found at the outset that the men of the world are described as those who have their portion in this life. So we are conformed to the world when the portion in this life is the great end and object of our pursuit. Turning to the epistle of St. Paul to Titus we find that the grace of God which bringeth salvation is to have a twofold effect on the character. It is to wean, and to attract. The weaning process is described, when he says, ‘Teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;’ and the attractive power in the words, ‘Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.’ Now we must not suppose that by the word ‘lust’ is meant only sensuality. It is the old English word for desire. Thus, worldly desires, or desires after the world, are placed side by side with ungodliness, and both are to be denied by those who know the grace of God which bringeth salvation. Here lies the root of the matter. If the affections are still fixed on the world, and the desires bent on it, it is in vain to tell a man that in practice he shall not be conformed to it. Where his treasure is there will his heart be also, and where the heart leads the way, the steps are almost sure to follow. If, therefore, the affections be fixed on the friendships of the world, and the desires are bent on the good things of the world—its wealth, its honours, its popularity, its applause, its high positions, we must expect that questions which arise in practice will be referred, not to the balance of the sanctuary, but to the balance of the world; and it is hopeless to look for any decided line of action. But this must not be the case with the children of God. If we be in Christ we know the grace of God which bringeth salvation; we have been redeemed unto God by the precious blood of Jesus; we are sealed unto Him by the Holy Spirit of Promise, we are kept as His purchased possession until the day of His return: we are looking, waiting, hoping for that happy time when He shall take the kingdom, and all these earthly things pass away for ever; and are we to be looking backwards instead of forwards? Are we to be fostering the earthly affection, and losing sight of the heavenly? No. Let the world seek its own, and enjoy it while it lasts. But it won’t last long. Still, while it does last men of the world are consistent in living for it. No one can accuse them of inconsistency. What we ask for is a similar consistency in those whose conversation is in heaven, and whose desire it is to walk with God. If we know Him let us keep our eye steadily fixed on Him; let us not be afraid of going forth without the camp, if only we can trace His footsteps in the path; and let us never lose sight of the Divine precept, ‘If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things of the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.’

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