(2.) Again, conformity to the world does not consist in diligent attention to the business of life. The rule for the servant of God is; ‘Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;’ and we may be perfectly sure, that God’s name will never be honoured by negligence in a Christian calling. On the other hand, the effect of the Gospel on the heart will be to render the Christian man pre-eminently effective in that state of life in which it shall please God to place him. There is nothing in spirituality of mind to make a person a bad man of business, or to give any apology for ineffectiveness in common life. If a Christian man is inaccurate in his accounts, unpunctual in his appointments, and muddling in his arrangements, it is the effect not of his religion, but, generally speaking, of his indolence; for if his religion were properly applied, it would lead him to act on the scriptural maxim, ‘Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.’
(3.) Once more, separation from the world does not consist in eccentricity. Christian persons are not called upon to look out for opportunities for making themselves different to other people. Our Lord came, it is true, to redeem us to Himself ‘a peculiar people.’ But that peculiarity is perfectly distinct from singularity, or eccentricity. It refers simply to the sacred position of the Lord’s people, as redeemed by His blood, and so made His own, an especial people unto Himself. It is the result of the great truth taught in the text: ‘The Lord’s portion is his people: Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.’ If the blessed fact that we are His, be consistently followed out in daily life, the distinction will be quite sure to make itself felt; and it is the duty of the child of God not to shrink from its being so felt. If we be amongst the Lord’s people we must not be ashamed of it, but must be prepared for anything that may arise out of the peculiarity of our high calling. But the Christian is not called to go out of his way to make the distinction conspicuous, or to attract attention by anything of his own choosing. If the Lord makes him a marked man, it is well; but if he makes himself one, though he may really desire to adorn the Gospel, he may by his own folly make it appear ridiculous.
