To be near unto God - pagina 579

But the real Christian ordinances and usages. meeting of these two spheres takes place only in believers, who still live in this visible world, and yet carry the higher world in their heart; the latter expressing itself in their

communion with

as often as this preponderance of the holy in believers comes to a clear expression through the word, there is the holy salutation, and presently at parting, the address of

the

Holy Ghost.

And

blessing.

But

this gives rise in life to a twofold sphere.

of the unbelieving world, and the sphere that is breathed upon from the higher order of things. You are at once aware of this by the difference in your feelings as you move among children of God, or among children of the In both circles, in both spheres a difworld. ferent tone prevails, different language, different With the children of the world the flower love. of one's inner nature inclines to close itself up; with the children of God this calix opens itself. This is no reason that one should withdraw himOn the contrary, God self from the visible world. has given us here our calling and our work. We should even be on our guard, not to lift ourselves up in spiritual pride before the children of the

The sphere

What better are you than they, and what your higher life other than pure grace? You should never be unmindful even to give yourself to this world, like your Savior to serve it, to bless it with your love, and to work for its good. But our spiritual saving of life is always to be

world. is

575

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