The Christian lives in the world but must not be of the world. What marks the difference? The very purpose of your life. For you, "to live" must be "Christ." Whether you eat or drink, whatever you do, do it all for God's glory.

Yes, you may lay up treasure—but lay it up in heaven where neither moth nor rust can corrupt, where thieves cannot break through and steal. Yes, strive to be rich—but be it your ambition to be "rich in faith" and good works. Yes, have pleasure—but when you are merry, sing psalms and make melody in your hearts to the Lord.

Your spirit should differ from the world's spirit. Wait humbly before God, always conscious of his presence. Delight in communion with him. Seek to know his will. This is how you prove you are of heavenly race.

And your actions must be separate from the world's actions. If a thing is right, though you lose by it, it must be done. If it is wrong, though you would gain by it, you must scorn the sin for your Master's sake. You must have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Walk worthy of your high calling and dignity.

Remember, O Christian, that you are a son of the King of kings! Therefore, keep yourself unspotted from the world. Soil not the fingers that will soon sweep celestial strings. Let not these eyes become windows of lust—these eyes that will soon see the King in his beauty! Let not those feet be defiled in miry places, which will soon walk the golden streets. Let not those hearts be filled with pride and bitterness which are ere long to be filled with heaven and overflow with ecstatic joy.

Then rise, my soul! And soar away, Above the thoughtless crowd; Above the pleasures of the gay, And splendors of the proud; Up where eternal beauties bloom, And pleasures all divine; Where wealth that never can consume, And endless glories shine!