We Should, Therefore, Rather Pray To Be Kept From Evil.

We may be in the world--
and not be injured by it!

(James Smith, "The Pleading Savior" 1861)

"I do not pray that you should 
take them out of the world--
but that you should keep them 
from the evil." John 17:15

We may be in the world--
and not be injured by it! 

The world is the field--
in which we are to labor for CHRIST.
Here we are to . . .

  plough up the fallow ground,

  sow the good seed, and reclaim
the waste places for JESUS.

The world is the battleground--
on which we are to fight 
the good fight of faith,

  overcome satan, and

  crucify the old man.

The world is the ocean--
over which we are to sail 
to the port of glory; and
it befits us to look well to . . .

  the vessel in which we sail,

  the captain who commands it,

  the pilot who steers it, and

  the compass by which it is steered--

so that we may . . .

    avoid the rocks and quicksands,

    outlive the storms and tempests,

    and cast anchor within the veil!

The world is the school--
in which we are to learn . . .

  the evil of sin,

  the power of corruption,

  the craft of satan,

  the preciousness of CHRIST,

  the value of Heaven, and

  the importance and worth
of GOD'S promises.

The world is the hospital--
in which we are under the SPIRIT'S
treatment, in order that we may be
restored to health, and prepared
to enjoy our FATHER'S eternal
house and home!

We should, therefore, rather
pray to be kept from evil--
than to be removed out of
the world. We may be useful,
very useful in it, and useful in
a way in which we cannot be
in Heaven. Here, we can . . .

  visit the sick for JESUS,

  clothe the naked for JESUS,

  feed the hungry for JESUS,

  relieve the widow and 

fatherless for JESUS, and 

teach the ignorant for JESUS--

and thus feed, clothe, visit, 

relieve and teach JESUS HIMSELF 

in doing so; for HE has said, 

"Inasmuch as you did it unto one 
of the least of these MY brethren--
you did it unto ME!"   Matthew 25:40

Let us not, therefore, be anxious . . .

  to leave the field of labor until our work is done;

  or to get out the battle until the victory is gained;

  or to leave school until our education is complete;

  or to be discharged from the hospital 
until we are perfectly cured!

 
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GraceGems has published William Steven's precious short article,
"The Loveliness of Christ!"