Epistle 23
George Fox encourages believers to fear not the powers of darkness, but rather to keep their meetings in the power of God, achieving unity and faithfulness in the endless life of Christ.
George Fox encourages believers to not fear the powers of darkness but to maintain unity and love through the power of God. He emphasizes the importance of meeting together in faith, recognizing the eternal nature of Christ, the second Adam, who transcends earthly struggles. Fox urges friends to remain faithful in God's life and power, allowing Christ to reign among them and fostering a community rooted in peace and love. He highlights the transformative power of God's word, which saves and strengthens the soul against opposition. Ultimately, he calls for a collective commitment to live in the love of God, which builds up the body of Christ.
Text
Friends,--Fear not the powers of darkness, but keep your meetings, and meet in that which keeps you over them; and in the power of God ye will have unity.
And dwell in love [1 Jn 4:16] and unity one with another, and know one another in the power of an endless life [Heb 7:16], which doth not change. And know the second Adam, the Lord from heaven, which is above the first Adam, the earthly [1 Cor 15:47], where all strife and transgression is. And all Friends every where, be faithful in the life and power of God, and keep your meetings (above all the world) in that which changes not, that nothing but Christ may reign among you, the power of God, and wisdom of God [1 Cor 1:24], the sanctification and redemption; that the just over all may reign, and the seed of God may have the dominion in you all; that with that ye may all be ordered to the glory of God, and kept in the bond of peace [Eph 4:3], and reign in the love of God, (which is out of the iniquity, and rejoiceth not in it,) which thinks no evil [1 Cor 13:5f]. And have this love shed abroad in all your hearts [Rom 5:5], and feel it abiding in you; which love of God edifies the body [Eph 4:16]. And know the word of God abiding in you, which was in the beginning [John 1:1], and brings to the beginning; which word being ingrafted [Jas 1:21], it saves the soul, and hammers down, and throws down, and burns up [Jer 23:29] that which wars against it.
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- Fear Not the Powers of Darkness
- Know the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven
- Faithfulness in the Life and Power of God
- The Bond of Peace and the Love of God
- Ordered to the Glory of God
- Reign in the Love of God
Key Quotes
“And dwell in love [1 Jn 4:16] and unity one with another, and know one another in the power of an endless life [Heb 7:16], which doth not change.” — George Fox
“And know the second Adam, the Lord from heaven, which is above the first Adam, the earthly [1 Cor 15:47], where all strife and transgression is.” — George Fox
“And have this love shed abroad in all your hearts [Rom 5:5], and feel it abiding in you; which love of God edifies the body [Eph 4:16].” — George Fox
Application Points
- Keep your meetings in the unchanging power of God to achieve unity and faithfulness.
- Allow Christ to reign among you, and you will experience the bond of peace and the love of God.
- Feel the love of God abiding in you, and it will edify your body and bring you to the beginning of eternal life.