O Friends! Keep Close to the Light
George Fox exhorts believers to keep close to the light, avoid looking to man, and be bold and valiant for the truth.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of staying close to the inner light of God, urging believers to focus on the powerful words of God rather than the empty words of the world. He warns of the impending judgment for the wicked and encourages the faithful to remain obedient to the truth, fostering love and accountability among one another. Fox calls for humility, purity, and vigilance against deceit, while also encouraging believers to boldly pursue their faith and uphold the truth in a world that may oppose them. He concludes with a reminder to support and exhort each other daily in their spiritual journey.
Text
O Friends! Keep Close To The Light (1652)
O Friends! keep close to the light in you, and do not look forth at words that proceed from a vain and light mind; but at the power of word. for the words of God, that proceed from him, are powerful and mighty in operation, to the throwing down of all the strong holds of the man of sin. The Lord is coming in power, to gather his chosen ones to himself, and to judge and condemn the wicked ones for evermore. He will plague the beast, and burn the whore, and plague and torment the disobedient, the rebellious, and backsliders very sore. Therefore, ye that know the voice of the Lord, hearken to it, and see how ye stand in his fear, and how ye are brought into the obedience of the truth. And take heed of looking forth at man; but keep close to that, and guided by that; and being guided by that, it will keep you clear and pure to receive the teaching of the Lord. Have salt in yourselves, and let your words be few and seasoned, that they may be savoury. And watch over one another in love, and walk in wisdom and sobriety, and gravity, and sincerity, in purity, and cleanness. And keep free from deceit, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful words of darkness, but rather reprove them. And be faithful to the Lord; walk so that the world may be confounded and ashamed, when they speak evil of you, as evil doers; walking in humbleness, lowliness, and uprightness before them, it will take away all just occasion of speaking evil against the truth. And be bold and valiant for the truth, and press forward, towards the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, and let no man take your crown.
Dear Friends, watch over one another in love, and stir up that which is pure in one another, and exhort one another daily. And the Lord keep you all in his fear, and in his obedience now and evermore!
G.F.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Importance of Keeping Close to the Light
- A. The power of God's words to throw down strongholds
- B. The need to focus on the Lord's guidance
- II. The Dangers of Looking to Man
- A. The deceit of vain and light-minded words
- B. The importance of being guided by the Lord's voice
- III. The Call to Holiness
- A. The need for salt in one's life
- B. The importance of wise and sober living
- IV. The Importance of Fellowship and Reproof
- A. The need to reprove unfruitful words of darkness
- B. The importance of being faithful to the Lord
- V. The Call to Boldness and Perseverance
- A. The need to press forward towards the mark of the prize
- B. The importance of not letting others take one's crown
Key Quotes
“The words of God, that proceed from him, are powerful and mighty in operation, to the throwing down of all the strong holds of the man of sin.” — George Fox
“Have salt in yourselves, and let your words be few and seasoned, that they may be savoury.” — George Fox
“Be bold and valiant for the truth, and press forward, towards the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, and let no man take your crown.” — George Fox
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to keep close to the light and focus on the Lord's guidance in your life.
- Be mindful of the words you speak and the company you keep, and strive to be a source of salt and seasoning in the lives of those around you.
- Be bold and valiant for the truth, and press forward towards the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.