QUES. 18.-What is meant by being "crucified to the world "? Does that state begin at conversion? Though I know I am saved, there are many temporal things that I enjoy much. But doesn't that verse, "Every creature of God is good, and to be received with thanksgiving," imply that we are permitted to enjoy these things, though of course to a much less degree than formerly ? Then, what is meant by being "crucified"?
ANS.-Your difficulty comes from confounding " the world " with created things. Everything that God has made is good. We may therefore freely enjoy all of it in subjection and thankfulness to God, acknowledging His kindness in all-our food, raiment and many comforts of life, and health and surroundings. But even in this, let us never forget that our real portion is in heaven, not here-that whatever be our circumstances here, pleasant or sorrowful, they are all of a quickly passing nature. We live not for this life, but for the coming one. Foolish indeed is the Christian who sets his heart on anything here. If right in heart and knowledge, he is a man who is waiting for the Lord from heaven to come and take him there.
"The world," however, is a very different thing. It is that great fabric which has grown out of man's revolt against God, and his consequent alienation from Him ; which seeks its enjoyment apart from God ; which has its religion, its society, its culture, its music, its politics, its hopes, and what not, but all apart from, and outside of, God's revealed purpose and holiness. So truly is it alienated from Him that when He came into it in the person of Jesus, it could not bear His presence, nor His words, nor His character. It crucified Him.
The moment, then, you have received Him as your Saviour, your Lord, your God, you have taken the side of the Cross, opposite to the world. They are on one side, mocking Him ; yon on the other, worshiping Him. You have parted company with them forever. You are crucified to the world, and the world is crucified to you. You are done with it-no more a friend of it, by reason of your being now identified with Christ, whom they have rejected. And if you let your colors be plainly seen, you will be crucified to them too; they will care no more for the companionship of one who is faithful to Christ.
When all who were not Christians were only either Jews or heathen, the line of separation was easily seen. But "the world " has invaded Christendom too; and even among professing Christians Christ has no lack of enemies. Satan-Christ's great enemy-has woven "the world" in with Christianity with such consummate skill that it is hard sometimes to tell where the one begins and the other ends. But if the word of God is fed upon, and the heart devoted to Christ, the Spirit of God, who dwells in us, being un-grieved, will guide our feet aright.
To "love the world" is an end to all spirituality, growth in Christ, and fruitfulness to God. May God, in His great mercy, keep you from it. A life unreservedly devoted to Christ is the only one worthy in those who know at what cost their salvation was obtained.
QUES. 19.-What is meant by the words "the like figure," in 1 Pet, 3 :21 ?
ANS.-They refer to baptism. The deluge was a figure of the awful baptism through which Christ must pass to remove our sins and minister to us "a good conscience." Christian baptism is a like figure. It points to the same thing.