Morning and Evening
Charles H. Spurgeon
April 6, 2020
Morning Reading
Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp.
—Hebrews 13:13
Jesus, bearing His cross, went forth to suffer without the gate. The Christian's reason for leaving the camp of the world's sin and religion is not because he loves to be singular, but because Jesus did so; and the disciple must follow his Master. Christ was "not of the world:" His life and His testimony were a constant protest against conformity with the world. Never was such overflowing affection for men as you find in Him; but still He was separate from sinners. In like manner Christ's people must "go forth unto Him." They must take their position "without the camp," as witness-bearers for the truth. They must be prepared to tread the straight and narrow path. They must have bold, unflinching, lion-like hearts, loving Christ first, and His truth next, and Christ and His truth beyond all the world. Jesus would have His people "go forth without the camp" for their own sanctification. You cannot grow in grace to any high degree while you are conformed to the world. The life of separation may be a path of sorrow, but it is the highway of safety; and though the separated life may cost you many pangs, and make every day a battle, yet it is a happy life after all. No joy can excel that of the soldier of Christ: Jesus reveals Himself so graciously, and gives such sweet refreshment, that the warrior feels more calm and peace in his daily strife than others in their hours of rest. The highway of holiness is the highway of communion. It is thus we shall hope to win the crown if we are enabled by divine grace faithfully to follow Christ "without the camp." The crown of glory will follow the cross of separation. A moment's shame will be well recompensed by eternal honour; a little while of witness-bearing will seem nothing when we are "for ever with the Lord."
This has been brought to you by the following ministries: Blue Letter Bible
2Co 6:14-17 ESV - Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
Not sure I have ever heard this preached from the pulpit. Usually the opposite – we Christians are obligated to feed the hungry and thereby be a witness for the Gospel. No scriptural support for feeding the goats. While we cannot point out the goats in a crowd, we can start with what they say about their relationship with Christ.
Christ said: [Mar 16:15 ESV] 15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
He also said:
[Luk 9:5 ESV] 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them."
I missed the passage where He said to make a good impression in the name of Christ, to build health clinics and schools.
Rather I read: [Mat 7:22-23 ESV] 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
What practices can a Christian undertake to demonstrate they are separate from the world?
Personally, my wife and I are very selective concerning what we watch on TV. Hollywood type entertainment is not normally acceptable. Bugs Bunny cartoons are OK!
God convicts me when I fail to be separate. Like overcoming other sins in my life, it is difficult.
God loves His children.
Keep short accounts.
Charles H. Spurgeon
April 6, 2020
Morning Reading
Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp.
—Hebrews 13:13
Jesus, bearing His cross, went forth to suffer without the gate. The Christian's reason for leaving the camp of the world's sin and religion is not because he loves to be singular, but because Jesus did so; and the disciple must follow his Master. Christ was "not of the world:" His life and His testimony were a constant protest against conformity with the world. Never was such overflowing affection for men as you find in Him; but still He was separate from sinners. In like manner Christ's people must "go forth unto Him." They must take their position "without the camp," as witness-bearers for the truth. They must be prepared to tread the straight and narrow path. They must have bold, unflinching, lion-like hearts, loving Christ first, and His truth next, and Christ and His truth beyond all the world. Jesus would have His people "go forth without the camp" for their own sanctification. You cannot grow in grace to any high degree while you are conformed to the world. The life of separation may be a path of sorrow, but it is the highway of safety; and though the separated life may cost you many pangs, and make every day a battle, yet it is a happy life after all. No joy can excel that of the soldier of Christ: Jesus reveals Himself so graciously, and gives such sweet refreshment, that the warrior feels more calm and peace in his daily strife than others in their hours of rest. The highway of holiness is the highway of communion. It is thus we shall hope to win the crown if we are enabled by divine grace faithfully to follow Christ "without the camp." The crown of glory will follow the cross of separation. A moment's shame will be well recompensed by eternal honour; a little while of witness-bearing will seem nothing when we are "for ever with the Lord."
This has been brought to you by the following ministries: Blue Letter Bible
2Co 6:14-17 ESV - Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,
Not sure I have ever heard this preached from the pulpit. Usually the opposite – we Christians are obligated to feed the hungry and thereby be a witness for the Gospel. No scriptural support for feeding the goats. While we cannot point out the goats in a crowd, we can start with what they say about their relationship with Christ.
Christ said: [Mar 16:15 ESV] 15 And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
He also said:
[Luk 9:5 ESV] 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them."
I missed the passage where He said to make a good impression in the name of Christ, to build health clinics and schools.
Rather I read: [Mat 7:22-23 ESV] 22 On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' 23 And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
What practices can a Christian undertake to demonstrate they are separate from the world?
Personally, my wife and I are very selective concerning what we watch on TV. Hollywood type entertainment is not normally acceptable. Bugs Bunny cartoons are OK!
God convicts me when I fail to be separate. Like overcoming other sins in my life, it is difficult.
God loves His children.
Keep short accounts.