Devil -- Christianity; Spiritual life -- Christianity
The word "lust," constantly used in description of the Satanic system,
has a much larger meaning in the Scripture than its present popular use,
where it refers only to that which is sensual. In these passages quoted,
it refers to the whole Satan-inspired ambition of humanity, and includes
their principle of self-help, and their struggle for all that, to them,
is highest and best. It is unlawful, in that it disregards the truth of
God; and it is related to that which is physical, because it magnifies
the finite being and its resources.
Two other striking passages concerning the relation of the believer to
the world are here given: "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may
have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in
this world (Satanic system)" (I Jno. 4:17). "As thou hast sent me into
the world (Satanic system), even so have I also sent them into the world
(Satanic system)" (Jno. 17:18).
The last revelation of the believer's position to be mentioned here, is
in regard to his service for the world. The unbounded love of God has
called him into fellowship with Christ in the great work of this age;
and in that connection he is under commission to evangelize, by a
process of witnessing, to the uttermost parts of the world. In this
undertaking he is promised the immediate presence of Christ, to whom all
power, both in heaven and in earth, has been given (Matt. 28:18-20). The
language of the inspired Book describes such witnesses as "Ambassadors
for Christ": "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to
God" (II Cor. 5:20). And the ambassador's message is also given in the
next verse of the same passage: "For He hath made Him to be sin for us,
who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him"
(we who knew no righteousness).
Nowhere does the saint need more direct teaching of the Spirit than in
regard to the relatioin he sustains to this world. In spite of the
similarity of his earth life to that of the world's people, he must
reckon himself to be dead in Christ and raised to newness of life.
Expecting the world to misunderstand him and even to hate him, he must
"wisely walk before them who are without." He is called upon to "use
this world but not to abuse it;" and that which is of itself pure and
good may become undesirable to him at times, because its use would
further the interests of Satan.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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