unbelieving Jews, — " Ye are from beneath, I am from above : ye are of this world, I am not of this world."
These words, no doubt, have a special application to our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. In the highest and most literal sense, there never was but One who could truly say, " I am from above, — I am not of this world." That One is He who came forth from the Father, and was before the world, — even the Son of God.
But there is a lower sense, in which these words are ap- plicable to all Christ's living members. Compared to tho thoughtless multitude around them, they are " from above," and " not of this world," like their Master. The thoughts of the ungodly are about things beneath ; the true Chris- tian's affections are set on things above. The ungodly man is full of this world ; its cares, and pleasures, and profits, absorb his whole attention. The true Christian, though in the world, is not of it ; his citizenship is in heaven, and his best things are yet to come.
The true Christian will do well never to forget this line of demarcation. If he loves his soul, and desires to serve God, he must be content to find himself separated from many around him by a gulf that cannot be passed. He may not like to seem peculiar and unlike others ; but it is the certain consequence of grace reigning within him. He may find it brings on him hatred, ridicule, and hard speeches ; but it is the cup which his Master drank, and of which his Master forewarned all His disciples. — " If ye were of the world the world would love His own, but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you." (John xv. 19.) — Then let the Christian never be ashamed to stand Alone and show his colors. He must carry the cross if he would wear the crown. If he has within him a new prin- ciple " from above," it must be seen.
We learn, lastly, how awful is the end to which unbelief