God is within them, if they have any feelings of right and wrong left in
them, that their covetousness, and lying, and slandering, and conceit, is
fighting against God; that these are just what God desires to cast out of
them; and that unless they give up their hearts to God, and let Him cast
out their sins, and be converted, and become like little children,
gentle, humble, teachable, friendly, and kind-hearted, obedient to their
heavenly Father, God will cast them out of His kingdom among the things
which offend, and bring a bad name on religion; among those very
profligate and open sinners whom they are so ready to despise and curse.
XXXVIII.
THE LIGHT.
But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for
whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Wherefore He saith, Awake
thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give
thee light.—EPHESIANS v. 13, 14.
ST. PAUL has been telling the Ephesians who they are; that they are God’s
dear children. To whom they belong; to Christ who has given Himself for
them. What they ought to do; to follow God’s likeness, and live in love.
That they are light in the Lord; and are to walk as children of the
light; and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but
rather reprove them. As much as to say: Do not believe those who tell
you that there is no harm in young people going wrong together before
marriage, provided they intend to marry after all. Do not believe those
who tell you that there is no harm in filthy words, provided you do not
do filthy things; and no harm in swearing, provided you do not mean the
curses which you speak. Do not believe those who tell you there is no
harm in poaching another man’s game, provided you do not steal his
poultry, or anything except his game. Do not believe those who tell you
that there is no harm in being covetous, provided you do not actually
cheat your neighbours; and that the sin lies, not in being covetous at
all, but in being more covetous than the law will let you be.
Do not believe those who say to you that you may keep dark thoughts,
spite, suspicion, envy, cunning, covetousness in your hearts day after
day, year after year, provided you do not openly act on them so as to do
your neighbours any great and notorious injury.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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