The world was so contrary to Christ, that he who was not against Him was for Him. The Son of man was to be rejected. Faith in His person was the thing, not now individual service to Him. Alas! the disciples were still thinking of themselves: “He followeth not us.” (Mark 9:3838And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. (Mark 9:38)). They must share His rejection; and if any one gave them a cup of cold water, God would remember it. Whatever would cause them to stumble in their walk, were it even their own right eye or hand, they would do well to cut off; for it was not the things of an earthly Messiah that were in question, but the things of eternity.
And all should be tested by the perfect holiness of God, and that, in judgment, by one means or another. Everyone should be salted with fire — the good and the bad. Where there was life, the fire would only consume the flesh; for when we are judged we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. If the judgment reaches the wicked — and assuredly it shall reach them — it is condemnation, a fire that is not quenched. But, for the good, there was also something else — they should be salted with salt. Those who were consecrated to God, whose life was an offering to Him, should not lack the power of holy grace, which binds the soul to God, and inwardly preserves it from evil. Salt is not the gentleness that pleases (which grace produces without doubt), but that energy of God within us which connects everything in us with God, and dedicates the heart to Him, binding it to Him in the sense of obligation and of desire, rejecting all in oneself that is contrary to Him; it is an obligation that flows from grace, but which acts all the more powerfully on that account. Thus, practically, it was distinctive grace, the energy of holiness, which separates from all evil; but by setting apart for God. Salt was good — here the effect produced in the soul, the condition of the soul, is so called, as well as the grace that produces this condition. Thus, they who offered themselves to God were set apart for Him — they were the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savor, wherewith can it be salted? It is used for seasoning other things; but if the salt needs it for itself, there is nothing left that can salt it. So would it be with Christians; if they who were of Christ did not render this testimony, where should anything be found, apart from Christians, to render it to them and produce it in them. Now this sense of obligation to God which separates from evil, this judgment of all evil in the heart, must be in oneself; it is not a question of judging others, but of placing oneself before God, thus becoming the salt, having it in oneself’. With regard to others, one must seek peace; and real separation from all evil is that which enables us to walk in peace together.
In a word, Christians were to keep themselves separate from evil and near to God, in themselves; and to walk with God in peace among one another. No instruction could be more plain, more important, more valuable. It judges, it directs the whole Christian life in a few words.
Present Testimony, Vol. 7