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AGAINST CONFORMITY TO THE WORLD
THE morality, no less than the doctrines, of the Gospel far excels the boasted inventions of philosophy. There is not one principle in the human heart, or one action of our lives, which is not depraved by sin. The whole system of man’s conduct is deranged: and to rectify it in all its parts, is the scope of that revelation which God has given us. The inspired writers are not satisfied with lopping off a few branches; they strike at the root of all sin; and labour to bring us back to that state of allegiance to our Maker from which we are fallen. This is peculiarly observable in the exhortation before us, in explaining which we shall shew,
I. What is that conformity to the world which we are to avoid—
Doubtless there is a degree of conformity to the world which is necessary, if we would not render ourselves perfectly ridiculous and absurd: but there are limits, beyond which we ought not to go. To mark out those limits we may observe, that we should not be conformed to,
1. Its company and conduct—
[We cannot wholly avoid worldly company; for “then we must needs go out of the world:” but we surely should not choose such for our companions; and much less form an indissoluble alliance with them [Note: 1Co_7:39. “only in the Lord.”]. If we ourselves be spiritual, it is not possible that we should enjoy the society of a carnal person, because his views, desires, and pursuits must of necessity be as opposite to ours as darkness is to light [Note: 2Co_6:14-17.]. By forming a connexion with such persons, what can be expected but that we should be enticed to imitate their conduct? And though we commit no flagrant evil, we are assured, that while we are walking according to the course of this world, we walk after the will of Satan and not of God [Note: Eph_2:2.].]
2. Its maxims and principles—
[According to the established maxims of the world, we should seek above all things the favour and esteem of men; we should avoid every thing that may make us appear singular; and on no account testify our disapprobation of any practice that is sanctioned by general custom. But how do such principles accord with the Holy Scriptures? In them we are told that, if we make it our grand aim to please men, we cannot be the servants of Jesus Christ [Note: Gal_1:10.]: and, if we have attained that object, instead of congratulating ourselves upon our success, we have reason to tremble on account of the woe denounced against us [Note: Luk_6:26.]. Instead of dreading a necessary singularity, we are required to shine as lights in a dark world [Note: Php_2:15.], and not only to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but faithfully to reprove them [Note: Eph_5:11.]. We are to be armed with a steady determination to live the rest of our time, not to the lusts of men, but to the will of God [Note: 1Pe_4:2.].]
3. Its spirit and temper—
[In what does the spirit of the world consist? It consists altogether in self-seeking, self-pleasing, self-confidence, and self-complacency. Now can any thing be more abhorrent from a Christian state than such a disposition as this? We are not to be resting satisfied with present attainments, or studying how much we can please the flesh without forfeiting the favour of God; but are rather to be pressing forwards towards perfection, without at all regarding the loss or pain we may be called to undergo in the prosecution of our duty [Note: Act_20:24; Act_21:13.]. How hateful a want of such a holy resolution is, may be seen in the reply which our Lord made to Peter, who would have dissuaded him from exposing himself to the trials he had predicted: “Get thee behind me Satan; for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men [Note: Mat_16:23.].”]
Further light will be reflected on this subject by considering,
II. Wherein consists that transformation of soul that is opposed to it—
The Christian is “a new creature; old things are passed away; and all things are become new:” according to the proficiency he has made, he conforms himself to,
1. Other principles—
[The worldly man knows no higher principle than self-love: whatever be his subordinate motive of action, all may be traced up to this. But they who are partakers of the Gospel salvation, are under the influence of a far nobler principle, the love of Christ: the thought of Christ having died for them, fills their hearts with admiration and gratitude: it inspires them with an ardent desire to testify their sense of his kindness: and forms a powerful incentive to holy actions. This is attested by St. Paul [Note: 2Co_5:14-15.]; and it constitutes a most essential part of that transformation of soul, which characterizes the true Christian. Subordinate motives indeed a believer may feel; but a desire of pleasing and honouring God, and a fear of dishonouring or displeasing him, will operate with the greatest force; and that too, in opposition to carnal considerations, no less than in aid of them.]
2. Other rules—
[The fashion of the world is the standard by which men in general regulate their conduct: but the Christian takes the word of God for his guide, and the example of Christ for his pattern; and, instead of reducing the rule to his practice, he endeavours to elevate his practice to the rule. He brings every thing “to the law and to the testimony:” and a plain declaration, or command, of God will be more to him than any precepts of men, or than the example of the whole universe. It is his ambition to “walk as Christ walked:” and though he knows that he can never attain the measure of his perfection, yet he strives incessantly to follow the pattern of it, that so he may be perfect even as his Father that is in heaven is perfect [Note: Mat_5:48.].]
3. Other ends—
[A Christian would not be content with ordering his actions aright, even if he could arrive at the highest degrees of holiness, unless he had also the testimony of his conscience that he sought, not his own glory, but the glory of God: having been “bought with a price,” he is conscious that he is “not his own,” and that consequently he “ought not to live unto himself, but unto him that died for him.” He feels that, if in any thing he consult merely his own honour or interest, he so far withholds from God the honour due unto his name; and therefore he labours to comply with that divine injunction, “Whether ye eat or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God [Note: 1Co_10:31.].”]
Thus is the Christian transformed, not in respect of his life only, but in the spirit of his mind; and therefore can declare from experience,
III. What effects this progressive renovation will produce—
There are many objections raised by the world against the sanctity that has been before described; and there is much opposition to it in the heart of every unrenewed person: but the experience of it will most effectually discover it to be,
1. Good in itself—
[Piety is too generally considered as needless preciseness: nor need we have any thing more than a separation from the world, and a transformation of soul after the Divine image, in order to become objects of reproach and contempt. Even the more sober and discreet part of mankind regard the precepts before us as “hard sayings,” unsuitable to modern times, and unfit for general practice. But as our Lord said of his doctrines, that whosoever would do his will, should know whether they were of God [Note: Joh_7:17.], so we may say of his precepts. While we are blinded by carnal desires, the commands of God will appear rigorous; and we shall labour more to explain them away, than to obey them: but if once we adopt them as the rule of our conduct, their beauty and excellence will manifestly appear; and we shall be convinced that, to obey them is, to be truly happy [Note: Isa_32:17.].]
2. Acceptable to God—
[While religion is accounted superstition, it is no wonder that the sublimer duties of Christianity are declined as unnecessary, and that they who practise them are deemed “righteous over-much.” But a renovation of soul will soon dispel this error, and shew us that, the more entire our devotedness to God be, the more highly shall we be raised in God’s esteem. If only we make the word of God the standard of our actions, we cannot possibly be too earnest in improving the talents committed to us: nor can we doubt but that the tokens of God’s approbation that we shall receive, shall be proportioned to the sacrifices we have made, and the exertions we have used in his service [Note: Mat_25:20-23.].]
3. Beneficial to man—
[It is usually supposed that a compliance with the directions in the text would weaken our faculties, and so distract our minds as to render us unfit for the common offices of life. But the very reverse of this is known to be true by all those who make the experiment. Heavenly-mindedness tends to “perfect” the man of God in all his faculties, and “thoroughly to furnish him unto all good works.” Till this takes possession of the soul, a man is the sport of every temptation, and liable to be led captive by every lust: but grace will establish his heart; it will bring a consistency into his whole conduct; it will change him into the very image of God; and will render him “meet for the inheritance of the saints in light.”]
Address—
1. Those who are yet conformed to the world—
[If you are free from gross vices, you do not apprehend your conformity to the world to be any reason for questioning the safety of your state. But it is scarcely possible for God to declare in more express terms your guilt and danger, than he has done in various parts of Holy Writ [Note: Joh_17:16. Gal_1:4. 1Jn_2:15-16. Jam_4:4.]. You are therefore reduced to this alternative, either to come out of Sodom, or to perish in it; either to enter in at the strait gate, and walk in the narrow way, or to fall into that destruction that awaits you at the end of the broad and frequented path. O that God may enable you to choose the good part; and to adhere to it in spite of all the odium your singularity may bring upon you!]
2. Those who profess to have experienced a transformation of soul—
[You need to be much upon your guard lest “after you have escaped the pollutions of the world, you should be again entangled therein and overcome [Note: 2Pe_2:20.].” It is your wisdom to avoid temptation, and to guard against the snares that are laid for your feet. However circumspectly you may walk, you will find reason enough to lament your manifold defects. Lay not then any stumbling-blocks in your own way; but seek rather to experience the transforming efficacy of the Gospel: let the world be crucified unto you, and be ye crucified unto the world [Note: Gal_6:14.]. As obedient children, “fashion yourselves in no respect according to your former lusts in your ignorance, but as he who hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [Note: 1Pe_1:14-15.].”]