Recognition of the Distinction.
There is conformity to the world when we ignore the distinction between the people of God and the world; and this, I believe, lies at the very root of the subject. There is nothing more unpopular to the world than this distinction. The prevailing theory of worldly persons is, that all are very much alike, provided only that they are virtuous and amiable; and there is nothing which they dislike more than the idea of a peculiar people, separated unto God in Christ Jesus. They would wish to be considered right in their opinion, as their more religious friends are right in theirs; and if the servants of God will only concede this one principle, the men of the world will bear almost anything at their hand.
I am well aware of the practical difficulty of maintaining the distinction. In many things the world conforms to the Church, as the Church does to the world; and the line is so shaded off on both sides, that it is almost beyond man’s power to trace it. The state of things is very much like two dissolving views at the time when they are passing from one to the other. There is a faint sketch of both, but no clear outline to either. Then, again, the last thing that we desire is to see our young people assuming to themselves a spiritual superiority, and saying to others, ‘Stand aside, for I am holier than thou.’ But still the distinction is drawn by God in His Word, and we are guilty of thorough conformity to the world if we set it aside. Happily, we are not called to decide where each individual stands; and I know few things more painful than to hear persons discussing whether individuals are converted or not. But still the existence of the distinction in its broad outlines must lie at the basis of a great deal of our practical conduct, and must not be allowed to disappear from our guiding principles. If we are in Christ, adopted as His own holy family, we must not be afraid of acknowledging Him, or ashamed of being identified with His people.