R each C h i ld ren !
HEART TROUBLE A tract especially for
Doctrinal pointers by Gerald B. Stanton, Th.D. Prof, of Systematic Theology, Talbot Theological Seminary
BOYS AND GIRLS 6 pages — 3 colors
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The Separated Christian Life
In November T he K ing ’ s B usiness ran a lead article entitled “ The Christian and Worldliness.” In this column Dr. Stanton sets forth some further ideas on the subject. — Ed. T he Bible teaches a pattern of be havior that has come to be called “ the sepa ra ted Christian life.” Now biblical separation is not isola tion; it is not a retreat from the main stream of humanity. It is not a pattern of abnormal dress or peculiar religious behavior nor is it legality, parading under the guise of spiritual ity. Biblical separation is actually twofold: 1) It is a positive dedication of body, time, talents and every issue of life into the hands of the Christ who has redeemed us. We are not our own, for we have been bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:19, 20). It is the voluntary committal of the whole man to God, “ . . . present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable serv ice” (Rom. 12:1). Separation is first of all unto God. 2) On the negative side, separation is a steadfast refusal on the part of the Christian to be identified with the world in her sinful pleasure and god less behavior. To paraphrase Romans 12:2, we are not “ run into the mold of this wicked world system.” Rather, we are to do the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. There are certain familiar habits and entertainments which fill the horizon of the unregenerate but can never cease to lead astray those who have been born into the family of God. It is not our purpose here to mention by name these unclean or doubtful practices. Let it suffice to give the methods whereby they may be tested. Put that questionable prac tice to the following tests, and the Spirit of God Himself will reveal to your heart what is the mind of God in the matter.
1) Is it expressly forbidden by the Word of God or does it violate any plain teaching of Scripture (1 Thes. 5:22)? 2) Would participation dull the keen edge of my spirituality or rob me of fellowship with my Lord (Col. 3:2)? 3) Recognizing that I have within me two opposing natures, which one does this practice feed, the old or the new (Col. 3:5-10)? 4) Do the best Christians I know participate in this thing? Even more important, could I imagine Christ doing it (2 Thes. 3:6)? 5) Can I confidently ask God to bless it (Col. 3:17; 2 Tim. 2:4)? 6) Would I like to be so engaged when Christ returns (Titus 2:12-14; 1 John 3:3)? 7) Might it cause me to be a stum bling block to some weaker brother (1 Cor. 8:9, 13)? - 8) W ill it involve a waste of God’s money, time or talents invested in me? 9) How will it affect my testi mony? Would I be willing for my friends to know all about it (Phil. 2:15)? 10) Is it one of the world’s typical amusements? Does it cause me to be with God’s crowd or with the devil’s (1 John 2:15-17; James 4 :4)? Worldly amusements have been defined as “ The devil’s anesthetic to deaden the pain of an empty heart” (Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer). Those who walk with God have little need for certain kinds of popular entertain ment, d e l i b e r a t e l y calculated to amuse frivolous lives and occupy shallow minds. A ll earnest and mature Christians can testify that the good things of God quickly replace the inferior pleasures of sin. Thus the standard for Christian conduct is not a negative creed but a positive walk of fellowship with the Lord. (This article included in “Christian Foun dations,” by Dr. Stanton.) END.
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