LOVE NOT THE WORLD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 835, 2 December 1929, Page 14

LOVE NOT THE WORLD

GODLINESS CONTRASTED WITH WORLDLINESS

RELIGION’S SATISFACTION

A service* of unusual interest was held in the Pitt Street Methodist f'hurch last evening, when 20 young men and women of ihe ttible classes were officially received into full membership of the Church upon confession of faith. The service was conducted by the Rev. VV. Walker, who preached upon “Godliness versus Worldliuess,” taking for liis text 1 John li. 15-17, ‘‘Love Not the World, etc.”

By the world St. John meant all the un-Christian and anti-Christian forces of the age, said the speaker. The Apostle referred all the concerns of life to the ultimate principles of light and darkness, good and evil, God and Satan. Between these conflicting forces no compromise was possible to the disciple of Jesus. After giving a graphic description of the conditions of the Apostolic age, Mr. Walker declared that warfare against worldliness was just as pronounced today. The choice was set between the love of God and love of the world, and there could be no such thing as a benevolent neutrality. ‘‘People cannot serve God and Mammon.” Mr. Walker reminded his hearers. ‘‘lt is only when a person loves God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength, that he is enabled to experience the true joy of religion. "The will of God is not something to lie suffered but a glorious purpose to be realised. It is not a passive endurance but an active service. The love of God which impels to heroic ervice is the true way to the realisation of all man's latent powers. "The deep rapture an.d the abiding satisfaction of religion come through experience,” concluded Mr. Walker. "The path of the just is as a shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Miss Gwladys Payne sang “Come Unto Him.” At the communion service Mr. Walker was assisted by the Rev. T. A. Joughin.