In The Master's Service

LUST AND PRIDE

Elder David P. Bridgman (deceased) "From his book . . . "

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." - I John 2:16.

I hesitate to write on the above subject. First, because I am aware that we are all in possession of some of the above; second, I realize very well my inability to write upon any subject, notwithstanding the many letters I have had by the way of encouragement to try to write.

How easy it is to follow the lust of the flesh! How easy it is for us to find an excuse to permit us to do the things that the flesh desires! When we fail to assemble ourselves together, unless we are physically ill, there is but little, if any other excuse that is not fulfilling the lust of the flesh. Often Satan will assist us in making good excuses, but the answer is simply the lust of the flesh. When we fail to visit a brother or sister, a sick person, or a shut-in, as the Spirit bids us do, we are bearing the fruits of the lust of the flesh. When we fail to engage in godly conversation because of what someone else might think or say about us, that is the lust of the flesh or the pride of life. When we entertain ourselves with worldly reading matter or worldly entertainment or worldly amusements of any kind, it is of the flesh and most certainly not of the Father. We know of a truth God is not the author of such, and will not give us of His felt presence in engaging in such. But often when we meet, and begin to converse in godly things, somehow the good Lord just puts it into the heart of someone to say something of the Spirit that will bring about such sweet and delightful feelings, and our hope begins to brighten; and we seem all made over again.

When we are reminded of our friends, relatives, or neighbor and what fine things he possesses, what a nice house he lives in, what fine clothes he is wearing and how smart his children are, or when we think ours are just a bit smarter than others we know, think that they are somehow just a little superior to others we know, etc., this is all of the flesh, and is certainly not of the Father. When we are gifted to sing, preach, pray, or even entertain a little better than some other brother, and we think how we rank just a bit higher than some other dear brother or sister who may be in the sight of God, so to speak, higher than we, is not this the lust of the flesh? I say yes! When any words spoken, any deeds done, and thoughts had, or any meditations had which come from the desires of the flesh, the seeing of the eyes, or from the natural mind, you can rest assured that they are not of the Father. If we give all our goods to feed the poor and offer our body to be burned and have not charity, it profiteth nothing. It is not of the Father! Whatsoever is not of faith is sin. If we are not led by the Spirit of God to do what we do, say what we say, go where we go, be what we are, think what we think, it is not of the Father but is of the flesh. It is sin.

Now let us take inventory just a few moments. How much of our time do we spend thinking upon God and His goodness? That is of the Father. How much time do we spend in searching for more knowledge how to serve God? That is of the Father. How much of our time do we spend looking for the good and precious things in our dear brethren, sisters and kind friends? That is of the Father. How much of our time do we go with a prayer in our heart and even on our lips? That is of the Father. How much of our time do we spend in singing of spiritual hymns, in praising and honoring God? That is of the Father. How much of our time do we spend in reading the good religious books and papers for the good we get from the same, or reading His Holy Writ for the good and nothing else? That is of the Father. How much of our time do we spend in thinking of our next meeting time, or of a meeting we plan to go to somewhere away from home? That is of the Father, if we go for the good things we hope to get from the same. Someone might say, "Well, I have to work for a living and do not have time to do these things." My dear friends, I am persuaded that on most any job that human beings do, they can at least think some on God's greatness, His goodness to us, His mercies, and His wisdom, and on our good brethren and sisters, and a hundred and one other good things. I am sure if our mind is not on these things, which are of the Father, it is on things that are not of faith, which is of the flesh and is sin. Please do not try to make me think you cannot do any of the things our Master tells you to do, for I know He has all knowledge and knows you know yourself; for it is He that blesses you to even live, no matter if you do disregard Him and spend your time after the things of the world which is not of the Father.

Please bear in mind, dear reader, I have no person or persons in mind in trying to express a few of my thoughts on this subject which has been observed by me for the past several years. You may not believe it, dear reader, but I know of some whose lives are absorbed with things of the Spirit to such an extent that they have no room for the things of the flesh. They are just not hungry for them at all. They are always looking at good things of life, the better things, the goodness of God. They are always ready to lend a helping hand for the good of the cause. They are eager to find someone who is interested in the better things only. They do not care to discuss the bad things of the flesh. They commune with God day and night. When they lay themselves upon their bed, they welcome the death angel or whatever might be sent their way by the all-wise Master. They know what He does is just and right.

Now little child of God, I want to give you a recipe for joy, peace and happiness. Begin at this good hour to work hard to cull out the things of the flesh, and to inquire of God how to serve Him, and put in the room instead of the things you cull out, the things that are of the Father; and I will guarantee you, backed up by the Word of God, that you will have much more joy, peace and happiness than ever. You will grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth and will find life worth living and death worth dying.

Written only in the interest I have in God's little children.

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