Epistle 274
To live a pure and undefiled life, one must stand valiantly for the Lord's truth and dwell in love, humility, meekness, patience, and righteousness.
George Fox emphasizes the importance of living in the pure and undefiled life, rooted in the holy seed that transcends transgression. He highlights that this seed, which is eternal and unchanging, empowers believers to overcome persecution and suffering that comes from the unjust. Fox encourages his listeners to remain steadfast in love, humility, and righteousness, as they navigate the challenges of living godly lives in a world that often opposes them. He reassures that those who endure persecution for their faith will ultimately reign in truth and life. His message is a call to be valiant for the Lord's truth and to embody the love of Christ.
Text
My dear friends,--In the pure and undefiled life [James 1:27] all live, in the holy seed that changes not, that will wear out all in the transgression, and was before transgression was, (and this seed was never a transgressor,) and it will be when transgression is gone, and is over that spirit which is in transgression, and is a burdensome stone [Zech 12:3] to the transgressor, and him that is out of truth [John 8:44], and it will outlast all. And so in that live, in which ye may reign in the life and truth, and in its time it will break all their bonds.
For that spirit that doth transgress, doth persecute in the particular the just, and persecution makes the just to suffer in the general; and so, they that will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer <19> persecution [2 Tim 3:12] by them that persecute those that are godly; it is no wonder for them to persecute the godly in Christ the heavenly man [1 Cor 15:47]: so the just suffereth, within and without, by the unjust. And so be valiant for the Lord's truth upon the earth [Jer 9:3], and dwell in love, and in humility, and meekness, and patience, and righteousness, in which the love of the Lord is manifested. So no more but my love.
G. F
Sermon Outline
- The Pure and Undefiled Life
- The Spirit of Transgression
- Living Godly in Christ Jesus
- Requires suffering persecution from the unjust
- Valiantly standing for the Lord's truth is essential
Key Quotes
“For that spirit that doth transgress, doth persecute in the particular the just, and persecution makes the just to suffer in the general;” — George Fox
“And so be valiant for the Lord's truth upon the earth, and dwell in love, and in humility, and meekness, and patience, and righteousness, in which the love of the Lord is manifested.” — George Fox
Application Points
- We must be willing to suffer persecution for standing valiantly for the Lord's truth.
- Living in the pure and undefiled life requires dwelling in love, humility, meekness, patience, and righteousness.
- The holy seed that is unchanging will outlast all transgression.