Epistle 41
The sermon emphasizes the importance of dwelling in the life and light of God, which is the source of spiritual understanding and guidance, and warns against the condemnation of the world and the deception of false teachings.
George Fox urges believers to dwell in the life and light of God, emphasizing that this light reveals the truth and condemns the world's wisdom and evil deeds. He warns against deceivers who have turned away from the light and encourages the faithful to remain steadfast in their profession of faith, ensuring that their actions align with their words. Fox stresses the importance of being genuine in one's faith, as mere profession without true dwelling in the light leads to deception and emptiness.
Text
Friends,--To you all this exhortation is from the word of the Lord: Dwell in the life, that with it ye may see the Father of life. And dwell in the light, with which light the world is condemned; which which light comprehends the world's wisdom; which light comprehends the world and their knowledge, and all the deceivers, which are entered into the world, (who are turned from the light,) with which light they are condemned, that is, the world, who hate the light, because their deeds are evil, and they will not bring their deeds to the light, because the light will reprove them, they hating it, and you that live in it [John 3:19f, John 15:18]. And all the deceivers, and all the antichrists [2 Jn 1:7], they are such as are turned from the light, which oppose Christ.
To you all, my brethren, who dwell in the light, which is the condemnation of the world, and of all the deceivers, who are turned from the light; it is not possible, that those deceivers should deceive you, who are the elect [Mat 24:24], who dwell in the light, which comprehends the world. I do charge you all in the presence of the living God, to 'dwell in what ye speak and profess; and none to profess, what he doth not dwell in; and none to profess, what he is not; a sayer, and not a doer [Jas 1:22]; such beget vain talkers [Tit 1:10]. So, with the light all such are to be condemned from the life. ... <50> ....
G. F.
Sermon Outline
- Dwelling in the Life
- The World's Condemnation
- Protection from Deceivers
- Living in Truth
- Profess what you dwell in
- Be a doer, not a sayer
Key Quotes
“Dwell in the life, that with it ye may see the Father of life.” — George Fox
“And dwell in the light, with which light the world is condemned;” — George Fox
“I do charge you all in the presence of the living God, to 'dwell in what ye speak and profess;” — George Fox
Application Points
- We must live in a state of spiritual awareness and connection with God, guided by His truth and light.
- We must be careful not to profess what we do not dwell in, lest we become vain talkers.
- We must strive to be doers of the word, not just hearers, in order to live in truth and avoid deception.