02.04. Living to God
04. Living to God
About three miles from here stands a building which has lately been erected with some care, and is just roofed in. That building is a little Church, where I trust in a few weeks a congregation of worshipers will be gathered.
What makes it a Church? Not the spot on which it is erected; for it stands on a rough, uncultivated heath. Not the materials of which it is built; for it is built of stone, and brick, and wood, of which ordinary houses are composed. But it will one day be a Church; because it will be solemnly set apart for the worship and service of God. It has been built with that intention, and will be used for that purpose. So it is with the Christian. He is one set apart for God. ’The Lord has set apart him who is godly for Himself.’ The name of God is written, as it were, ’in his forehead.’ He is ’a temple of the Holy Spirit.’ He has given himself to the Lord. This was just what Paul felt, when he said, ’You are not your own; for you are bought with a price — therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.’
Once he thought he was at liberty to go his own way and to do his own will. But God had wrought a wondrous change in him. He had tasted of pardoning mercy. He had been brought under the influence of grace. He had learned the preciousness of Christ, and had thankfully embraced His salvation. And now he felt he was Christ’s property, Christ’s servant — a vessel naturally worthless, but mercifully ’fitted for the Master’s use.’ Speaking therefore of himself and his brethren, he says, ’None of us lives to himself, and no man dies to himself. For whether we live — we live unto the Lord; and whether we die — we die unto the Lord. Whether we live therefore or die, we are the Lord’s.’
I spoke to you in the first chapter about living without God. God forbid that any one of us should be living thus!
I spoke to you in my next chapter about turning to God. God grant that many of us have turned to Him — may have taken the first decisive step towards a better course! And now let us give our best thoughts to the subject of the present chapter — Living to God. I shall take these three points —
How can we live to God?
Why should we live to God? When should we live to God?
1. HOW can we live to God?
We must live a different life from that of ordinary men. The little Church I spoke of stands amidst other houses — but yet it must not be considered as a common building. And so, if we would be God’s people, we must feel differently and act differently, from many around us. None of us wish to be singular or odd. We would not court observation. But a really God-fearing person is forced to take a line somewhat different from many about him. This is sometimes very painful — but it cannot be avoided. A pious child in a family, for instance, wishes to serve the Savior. And yet perhaps no one in the house feels as he feels. He meets with no encouragement, it may be — no sympathy — none to join him and help him in his happy, blessed course. This makes his way a very difficult one. Still he must be faithful to Christ, cost him what it may. A servant may stand almost alone among his fellow-servants. They may be for the world — he is for God. They are thinking how they may get on in life — he is anxious to get to Heaven. His feelings then and his actions must needs be very different from others. He has no wish to be singular — but he must be, or else deny his Lord. In a school, or in a house, or in a village, it is soon known who are the serious ones — who are the soldiers of Christ and the candidates for Heaven. Their conduct, their lives, their words soon tell the tale. Yes, depend upon it, those who were Christ’s disciples in former times, were very unlike the careless ones around them. They were each one as a ’light’ in the world, as ’a city set on a hill that cannot be hid.’ And so it must be now. We cannot creep along the road to Heaven unobserved. We cannot be on the Lord’s side — and yet pass unnoticed in the crowd. We cannot be Christ’s disciples, without being liable to the charge brought against Peter, ’Surely you are also one of them — your speech betrays you!’ Be prepared then, if you are the friend and follower of Christ, to take the line marked out for you in God’s Word, though it may be the very opposite to that which others are following.
Further, there must be a separation from the world. God’s children are in the world, but are not of the world. They are in the world — and therefore He would have them engage in its employments, discharge its duties, and take part in its occupations. In the seventeenth chapter of John, we find our Lord thus interceding for His people: ’I pray not that you should take them out of the world — but that you should keep them from the evil.’ The religious laborer may labor still; and all the more heartily, because he is in the way of duty. The religious tradesman may still stand behind his counter; but there will be no underhand dealing, no leaded weights or shortened measures, but all his business will be done in the fear of God. It must and will be so, if he is a Christian man. The religious farmer too will still cultivate his land, still exercise the same watchful care, still exert the same industry and forethought. But he will do it in a different spirit. While he sows the seed, or looks after his flock — he will remember from whence comes the increase. His eye will be often turned to Him who can alone give the blessing. The child of God is not of the world. He has lost his greediness for its pleasures — for he has tasted of something better. He has lost his eager desire for gain — for he has won a prize, which exceeds all earthly treasures. He has lost his love for worldly company — for he has now a new and better Friend than this world ever gave him. The Christian is called to give up the world — that is, all that is sinful, all that is frivolous, all that draws away the heart from God.
You will say perhaps, Give us then some rule that we may follow, as to what we must give up! I cannot do it. No one can. Your own conscience must be your guide. The feelings of your own heart must sway you. The only thing like a rule which I can give you is this — and if you follow it, you will not be far wrong — ’Do nothing which you cannot kneel down and ask God’s blessing. Go nowhere, where you would not wish Christ to find you.’ I repeat it; for I feel that it may be useful to yon through life: ’Do nothing which you cannot kneel down and ask God’s blessing. Go nowhere, where you would not wish Christ to find you.’ But I must go further, and say, that as regards our worldly occupations which are right in themselves — we must not follow them, so as to give our whole hearts and souls to them. Important as they are, there is something more important. While many put earth’s engagements above the call of God — while they are saying in their hearts, ’Business — you are my God; I devote myself to you,’ — let our language be, ’This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press to wands the mark. I seek first the kingdom of God.’
It is quite clear from Scripture that we are required, and solemnly called upon as Christians, to give up the world. ’If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.’ ’The friendship of the world is enmity with God.’ ’Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’
Again, we must deny ourselves for the Lord’s sake. The Christian is called upon sometimes to do what is contrary to his own inclinations. He must learn then to deny himself. He must no longer do things, merely because they square with his own will — but because the Lord would have him do them. The faithful service of God often brings us into trouble. We often have to bear much, for His sake. We often have to act in a way that flesh and blood would shrink from. But shall we not do what our heavenly Father bids us do? Shall we not bear, what He sees well to lay upon us? Yes, and even rejoice in doing it; and thankfully and cheerfully bear it, at His bidding. When our own evil hearts then are ready to turn away from the task, or quake with fear — let us remember Him who said, ’If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.’
There must also be a bold, hearty, decided surrender of ourselves to the Lord.
There can be no living to God, where there is half-heartedness, wavering, or indecision. We must fearlessly face the world — and declare ourselves for Christ. There must be no hanging back, no fear of man’s displeasure, no truckling to this person’s arguments, or that person’s fancies. Christ bids us come boldly forward as His servants, and we dare not hang back!
Ah, here is the trial. I know how difficult it is to take so strong and decided a step. And yet I am sure that thousands lose their peace of mind — lose God’s favor — yes, and lose Heaven too — for lack of taking it.
I wish I could persuade you this day to leave the ranks of indifference, of indecision — may I not say, the ranks of cowardice? For I know that the conscience of many of you is now whispering, ’I ought to yield myself up at once to God.’ I wish I could persuade you at this moment boldly and fearlessly to declare yourself for Christ, and to cast in your life with His people. May the Lord Himself ’draw you with the cords of a man, with the bands of love!’
Lastly, we must live a life of faith. ’We Christians walk by faith, not by sight.’ ’We look not at the things which are seen and are temporal, but at the things which are not seen and are eternal.’
If your treasure is here in this poor world — then labor for it night and day; strive for it, as for a prize; grasp it with all eagerness. But if you wish for that better portion, which is promised you, and is yet to come — then pray for it, seek for it, live for it.
I trust you at times long for that better portion. There is a Friend for you above, out of sight, ’whom having not seen’ you may ’love.’ There is an Almighty Arm ready to shelter you — place yourself under its care. There is a Home before you — an eternal home — be ever looking towards it with the unwavering eye of faith.
This, I believe, is what Scripture means by ’living unto the Lord’:
a different life from that of others;
a separation from the world;
a denying of ourselves for Christ’s sake;
a bold surrender of ourselves to the Lord;
and a life of faith.
Oh, that God may give us grace to choose such a life as this — and having chosen it, never to waver in our choice!
There are two other inquiries, which I shall touch upon very briefly.
If we felt this more — ’I am not my own, but Christ’s — not my own, to live for myself, but Christ’s, to live for Him’ — then how differently would we feel and act! Our life would be one entire consecration to our Master’s service. Our constant inquiry would be, ’How can I please Him? How can I do His will? How can I glorify Him in my body, and in my spirit, which are His?
Remember, He who is your great Creator, to whom you owe your very life — your Protector, who has guarded you up to this hour — your Father, who so tenderly loves you — He says to you, Give Me — not your money, not your health, not your strength, not you words — but give Me something in which I am more interested still; my son, give Me your heart! And can you refuse to give it?
He who is your Savior too, who has loved you as no brother ever loved you; who has stretched Himself on the cross for you; who has drunk the bitter cup of suffering for your sake! He says, ’I stand at the door and knock.’ Oh, will you not let Him in? Will you not say, ’Other lords beside You have had dominion over me; but I desire henceforth to give my heart, my life, myself, to You.’ And now, a word or two on the question, 3. WHEN shall we live unto God? To this I answer without hesitation, Now, today, this very hour! The time past of our lives suffices to have lived to ourselves and to the world. Now begin to live to God. Why not?
What! Would you have young men and women, just entering on the joys of life give themselves to God? Would you have those who are in health and strength, with probably a long life before them — would you have them turn their backs on the world, and enter upon Christ’s service? Yes, certainly I would!
We cannot too soon begin a life of such joy and blessedness. Why not? Are the world’s bonds too strong to break? Is self too dear to be given up? Is the heart so fondly set on things below? Has it clung to them so long that it is unwilling to break away from them now, and enjoy those better things which God has to give? Oh, take care lest death comes and finds us living a selfish, unprofitable, worldly life!
I feel that the great end of this book will not be gained, unless it leads you to stand out from the world, and to be really anxious to lead godly and heavenly lives.
I am thankful if you are quiet and respectable; if you go to church, and sometimes to the Holy Table. But I want more. I want to see sin forsaken, and Jesus my Savior loved and honored. I want to see you crowding into the narrow way — pressing onward with a firm and joyous step. I want to see you asking the way to Zion with your face thitherward, determined by God’s help to live as an earnest, faithful, and consistent follower of Christ.
God grant that you may one day — ah, this day — take up the language of the Apostle, and say, ’Whether I live — I will live unto the Lord; and whether I die — I will die unto the Lord; whether living therefore or dying, I will be the Lord’s!’