That Every Day I Must Show Myself To Be A Citizen Of Heaven.

What, then, did He mean? 
(Alexander Smellie, "On the Secret Place" 1907)

"They are not of the world, even 
as I am not of the world." John 17:16

CHRIST did not mean that I am to 

withdraw and seclude myself from 

society. HE did not do so HIMSELF. 

HE came and dwelt with sinners--

and HE bids me to walk in HIS 

footsteps. I am to live world, 

as a holy child of GOD.

Neither did HE mean that I am to be 

censorious towards those around me. 

There was no censoriousness in HIM. 

Wherever HE went, HIS presence 

diffused sunshine and warmth and joy.

HE does not wish me to moralize on 

the defects and errors of others. 

HE has no desire that I should be 

fault-finding, critical, or harsh. 

I may be unsparing in judging 

myself; but in my thoughts and 

words regarding others, there 

must be all considerateness, all 

forbearance, all patience and hope.

What, then, did He mean? 

That I am not to consider myself 

to be at home in this world.

That every day I must show 

myself to be a citizen of Heaven.

That there must be an easily-perceived 

difference between me and those who do 

not travel beyond the present realm of things.

That, however friendly I am with others, I 
must hold aloof from their sinful habits and 

recreations. I must make them understand . . .

  that my work is to glorify GOD,
  that my model is CHRIST, and
  that my citizenship is in Heaven!

Again, let me consider my MASTER. None 
drew closer to men and women than HE--
yet there was always a holy distinction 
felt and seen. Enemies and friends 
recognized it. And I am to have 
such an intense personal devotion 
to HIM, that I shall be found only 
where I firmly believe HE would be--
and that I shall practice and follow only 
what HE approves. It is to be my one 
fear, that I would hurt HIS kind heart.

Here is my rule: Not of the world--
even as HE was not of the world.

The rule is to be operative everywhere.

It will cast out of my business whatever 
is evil; and I shall count it impossible 
to do anything false or unjust in 
the workshop and the counting-house.

It will hallow my amusements. 
I shall suspect any amusement into which 
the thought of CHRIST intrudes like a shadow--
and welcome the happiness to which 
HE goes with me.

It will direct me in whatever I read--
everything must be consistent 
with CHRIST'S holiness.

It will direct me wherever I go--
I shall hear HIS voice among the trees 
of the garden, and not be afraid.

It is the motto for the whole of my history--
I am to do whatever JESUS would do--
if HE were here in my place.

   
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GraceGems has published John Newton's uplifting 2 page letter, 
"The Lord only afflicts for our good".