They are Not of the World
Dear Reader,
A true believer in Christ is neither an optimist nor a pessimist, according to the way in which these terms are used amongst men. He takes neither a hopeful nor a despondent view of the state of this world, through which he has to journey for the glory of God. He is not occupied with either the bright or the dark side of things down here. He is not elated by the world’s apparent prosperity, nor do its wars, wickedness, or immorality cause him to imagine that it is coming to its end; this he knows will not take place while the church of God is upon earth. His judgment of it does not arise from what he sees it to be, or from any report he has of it from its own account of itself. When the rulers of the world have to confess that they are helpless to stop rebellion and unrest; when one set of politicians accuses the other set of lying, deceit, trickery, and treachery; when the judges on the bench declare that sinful practices are legal; when the Christian pulpits are preaching another gospel, the man of God has no different thoughts about this world, he knows that, whatever garb of religion it may put on, it is just the same old Devil-ruled system that murdered the Son of God, and which, from that day to this, has ruthlessly persecuted His glorious gospel.
Dear Christian, remember that we are heavenly people. We have a heavenly calling. We are strangers and foreigners here. We only desire a plain way through this world. We will keep the king’s highway; that is, we will be subject to every ordinance of man, for the Lord’s sake (1 Peter 2:13-17). We will pay for everything we get by the way, and will commit no trespass, but we must maintain our pilgrim character, and keep ourselves unspotted from the world (James 1:27). We are heavenly people, who have all our associations of life there. The cross has severed all the ties that bound us to this great world-system. "Ye are all the children of light, and the children of day: we are not of the night, nor of the darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." Let us spend time daily in reading His word and praying so we can know His mind in our life. Let pleasing Him in everything be the desire of our heart in a world that opposing Him.
It is our prayer that the Lord will use the articles in this issue them to help you to grow and be established in Him. Thank you for your e-mails and notes of encouragement. We love hearing from all of you.
Please keep praying for the Lord’s blessing on Toward the Mark.
Yours in our soon-coming Lord,
Emil S. Nashed
Please send your questions and comments to:
Toward The Mark
c/o Wayne Christian Assembly
60 Smith Lane
Wayne, NJ 07470-5354
Attention: Emil S. Nashed
