Shun the World's Pleasures
Love not the
world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the
love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15.
The true
Christian will not desire to enter any place of amusement or engage in any
diversion upon which he cannot ask the blessing of God. He will not be found at
the theater, the billiard hall, or the bowling saloon. He will not unite with
the gay waltzers, or indulge in any other bewitching pleasure that will banish
Christ from the mind.
To those who
plead for these diversions, we answer, We cannot indulge in them in the name of
Jesus of Nazareth.... Go in imagination to Gethsemane and behold the anguish
which Christ endured for us. See the world's Redeemer wrestling in superhuman
agony, the sins of the whole world upon His soul. Hear His prayer, borne upon
the sympathizing breeze, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup
pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matt. 26:39).
The hour of darkness has come. Christ has entered the shadow of His cross.
Alone He must drink the bitter cup. Of all earth's children whom He has blessed
and comforted there is not one to console Him in this dreadful hour. He is
betrayed into the hands of a murderous mob. Faint and weary, He is dragged from
one tribunal to another. . . . He who knew not the taint of sin pours out His
life as a malefactor upon Calvary. This history should stir every soul to its
depths. It was to save us that the Son of God became a man of sorrows and
acquainted with grief. . . . Let a sense of the infinite sacrifice made for our
redemption be ever with you, and the ballroom will lose its attractions.
Not only did
Christ die as our sacrifice, but He lived as our example. In His human nature
He stands, complete, perfect, spotless. To be a Christian is to be Christlike.
Our entire being--soul, body, and spirit--must be purified, ennobled,
sanctified, until we shall reflect His image and imitate His example. . . . We
need not fear to engage in any pursuit or pleasure that will aid us in this
work. But it is our duty to shun everything that would divert our attention or
lessen our zeal.
From That I May Know Him - Page 311
