PRIVILEGE

PRE-AMBLE by Robert

Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and armed against it. All the saints make up one body in Christ, who is the Head of the body, and the common Centre of their unity. In the spiritual body, some are fitted for and called to one sort of work: others for another sort of work. We are to do all the good we can, one to another, and for the common benefit. 

If we duly thought about the powers we have, and how far we fail properly to improve them, it would humble us. But as we must not be proud of our talents, so we must take heed lest, under a pretense of humility and self-denial, we are slothful in laying out ourselves for the good of others. 

We must not say, I am nothing, therefore I will sit still, and do nothing; but, I am nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out myself to the utmost, in the strength of the grace of Christ. 

Whatever our gifts or situations may be, let us try to employ ourselves humbly, diligently, cheerfully, and in simplicity; not seeking our own credit or profit, but the good of many, for this world and that which is to come. but I am nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out myself to the utmost, in the strength of the grace of Christ. 

Whatever our gifts or situations may be, let us try to employ ourselves humbly, diligently, cheerfully, and in simplicity; not seeking our own credit or profit, but the good of many, for this world and that which is to come. 

OPENING COMMENT

A living sacrifice, that is, inspired by the spiritual life of the soul. It is Christ living in the soul by faith that makes the body a living sacrifice, Galatians 2:20. Holy love kindles the sacrifices, puts life into the duties see Romans 6:13. Alive, that is, to God, Romans 12:11.

Secondly, they must be holy. There is a relative holiness in every sacrifice, as dedicated to God. But, besides this, there must be that real holiness which consists in entire correctness of heart and life, by which we are conformed in both to nature and will of God: even our bodies must not be made the instruments of sin and uncleanness, but set apart for God, and put to holy uses, as the vessels of the tabernacle were holy, being devoted to God’s service. It is the soul that is the proper subject of holiness, but a blessed soul communicates a holiness to the body it actuates and animates. 

That is holy which is according to the will of God when the bodily actions are no, the body is holy. They are the temples of the Holy Ghost, 1 Corinthians 6:19. Possess the body in dedication, 1 Thessalonians 4:4,5.

The body is not for fornication; it was never formed for any such purpose, but for the Lord, for the service and honour of God. It is to be an instrument of righteousness to holiness ({cf11ul Rom 6:19}), and therefore is never to be made an instrument of uncleanness.

It is to be a member of Christ, and therefore must not be made a member of a harlot, {cf11ul 1Co 6:15}. And the Lord is for the body, that is, as some think, Christ is to be Lord of the body, to have a property in it and dominion over it, having assumed a body and been made to partake of our nature, that he might be head of his church, and head over all things, {cf11ul Heb 2:5}, {cf11ul Heb 2:18}.

Note, we must take care that we do not use what belongs to Christ as if it were our own, and much less to his dishonour.

It then becomes a privilege to be spiritually housed together with our savior, and as a privilege, bring forward the understanding, it then becomes our responsibility to remove this temple from the world. Children in Christianity must and do know God. 

They shall all know me, from the least to the greatest, (Hebrews 8:11). Children in Christ should know that God is their Father; it is their wisdom. We say it is a wise child that knows his Father.

These children cannot but know theirs; they can well be assured by whose power they are regenerated and by whose grace they are adopted. Those that know the Father may well be withdrawn from the love of this world. 

Then the apostle, proceeds I write unto you, fathers because you have known him that is from the beginning, 1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14. Old men have knowledge and experience and expect deference.

The apostle is ready to own the knowledge of old Christians and to congratulate them thereupon. They know the Lord Christ, particularly him that was from the beginning; as 1 John 1:1.

As Christ is Alpha and Omega, so he must be the beginning and end of our Christian knowledge. I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, Philemon 3:8. Those who know him that was from the beginning before this world was made, may well be induced thereby to relinquish this world.

Then, to the middle age of Christians, to those who are in their bloom and flower: I write unto you, young men, (1 John 2:13, 1 John 2:14). There is the adult in Christ Jesus, those that have arrived at the strength of spirit and sound sense and can discern between good and evil. 

The apostle applies to them upon these accounts: – 

• (1) Upon the account of their martial exploits. Dexterous soldiers they are in the camp of Christ: Because you have overcome the wicked one, 1 John 2:13. There is a wicked one that is continually warring against souls, and particularly against the disciples: but those that are well taught in Christ’s school can handle their arms and vanquish the evil one, and those that can vanquish him may be called to vanquish the world too, which is so great an instrument for the devil
• (2) Upon the account of their strength, discovered in this their achievement: Because you are strong, and you have overcome the wicked one, 1 John 2:14. Young men are wont to glory in their strength; it will be the glory of youthful persons to be strong in Christ and in his grace; it will be their glory, and it will try their strength, to overcome the devil; if they be not too hard for the devil, he will be too hard for them. Let vigorous Christians show their strength in conquering the world, and the same strength must be exerted in overcoming the world as is employed in overcoming the devil

• (3) Because of their acquaintance with the word of God: And the word of God abideth in you, (1 John 2:14). The word of God must abide in the adult disciples; it is the nutriment and supply of strength to them; it is the weapon by which they overcome the wicked one; the sword of the Spirit, whereby they quench his fiery darts: and those in whom the word of God dwells are well furnished for the conquest of the world.

Be crucified to the world, be mortified to the things, to the affairs and enticements, of it “The several degrees of Christians should unite in this, in being dead to the world. Were they thus united, they would soon unite upon other accounts: their love should be reserved for God; not throw it away on the world?”

Now here we see the reasons for this persuasion and caution. They are several and had a need to be so; it is hard to dispute or dissuade disciples themselves from the love of the world. 

These reasons are taken, 

• 1. From the inconsistency of this love with the love of God: If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, 1 John 2:15. The heart of man is narrow and cannot hold both loves. The world draws down the heart from God; and so, the more the love of the world prevails the more the love of God dwindles and decays

• 2. From the prohibition of worldly love or lust; it is not ordained of God: It is not of the Father, but is of the world, (1 John 2:16). This love or lust is not appointed of God (he calls us from it), but it intrudes itself from the world; the world is a usurper of our affection. Now here we have the consideration and notion of the world, according to which it is to be crucified and renounced. 

The world, physically considered, is good, and is to be admired as the work of God and a glass in which his perfections shine; but it is to be considered in its relation to us now in our corrupted state, and as it works upon our weakness and instigates and inflames our despicable affections.

There is great affinity and alliance between this world and the flesh, and this world intrudes and encroaches upon the flesh, and thereby throws a party against God. 

The things of the world, therefore, are distinguished into three classes, according to the three predominant inclinations of depraved nature; as, 

• (1) There is the lust of the flesh. The flesh here, being distinguished from the eyes and the life, imports the body. The lust of the flesh is, subjectively, the humour and appetite of indulging physical pleasures; and, objectively, all those things that excite and exacerbate the pleasures of the flesh. This lust is usually called luxury 

• (2) There is the lust of the eyes. The eyes are delighted with treasures; riches and rich possessions are craved by an extravagant eye; this is the lust of greed 
• 3. There is the pride of life. A vain mind craves all the grandeur, equipage, and pomp of a vain-glorious life; this is ambition, and thirst after honour and applause. This is, in part, the disease of the ear; it must be flattered with admiration and praise. 

The objects of these appetites must be abandoned and renounced; as they engage and occupy the affection and desire, they are not of the Father, but of the world, (1 John 2:16). 

The Father disallows them, and the world should keep them to itself. The lust or appetite to these things must be mortified and subdued; and so, the indulging of it is not appointed by the Father but is insinuated by the ensnaring world. From the vain and vanishing state of earthly things and the enjoyment of them. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, (1 John 2:17). 

The things of the world are fading and dying. The lust itself and the pleasure of it wither and decay; desire itself will ere long fail and cease, (Ecclesiastes 12:5). And what has become of all the pomp and pleasure of all those who now lie crumbling in the grave?

CLOSING STATEMENT by Robert

Excitedly, we become aware that it is a privilege to be spiritually housed together with our Savior, and as a privilege, brings forward the understanding, it then becomes our responsibility to remove this temple from the world. Children in Christianity must and do know God. 

This material is a deepening of our understanding of how to abide with the Lord and in doing so recognize the prerogative: an exclusive or special right, power, or privilege: such as 1). Belonging to an office or an official body 2).one belonging to a person, group, or class of individuals. Such as described in Psalms 91:1,2. He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

The importance of this article is revealed in the previous excerpt. Note, we must take care that we do not use what belongs to Christ as if it were our own, and much less to his dishonour.

Please remember these are the words of a humble servant doing the bidding of our Father. I would ask if you are being blessed by these articles pass them on to as many others as possible so they may be blessed and share their blessings as well.

Robert