In some areas of our lives, we are concerned about cleanliness and purity. We are quick to realize the value of any object that is pure gold or pure silver. We demand pure foods such as: flour, sugar, milk, honey or water. We insist that pharmacists produce and package drugs according to exacting laws of cleanliness. We won't patronize an hospital that doesn't sterilize its instruments and containers and scrub its rooms and halls with antiseptic. We spend a goodly amount of money on soaps, detergents, bleaches and disinfectants. We pay taxes for our garbage to be hauled away, for our streets to be swept and for sewage systems to be maintained. We are vitally concerned --- or should be --- that the air, land and water of our country and the world is becoming so polluted that this globe will not be able to support life in 20 years if some drastic counter-measures are not exercised. In short, we like things clean and spotless: clean houses, clean shiny cars, clean cities, pure food and clean clothes.
    Words like "sparkling", "crystaline", "fresh", "clear", "spotless", "pristine", "uncontaminated" etc., have a pleasing appeal to us.

    In a different area of our lives however, we don't react the same way. Although God's Word is profusely interspersed with exhortations to a pure, clean, separated, sanctified, holy life for Christ's sake, we have only scorn and derision for those who try to obey. We summarily toss them aside as "a fanatic with puritanical ideas", or "only a virtuous little prude", or "Did you ever see such a victorian square?", or "Man don't you realize that today there's a NEW morality?"
    Doesn't it seem that we have gotten things backwards, (Matt. 23:24-28; 15:17-20)?
    What's wrong with living a pure life? What's wrong with having high moral standards? Why are we embarrassed for the world to think there are some things that we as Christians won't do, or that there are some places we won't go for recreation? Even if our lives are not quite what they ought to be, why are we hesitant to admit that the life of a born-again child of God IS different from that of an unsaved individual, (Matt. 5:8; I Jn. 3:3; I Tim. 6:13-14)?
    Christ teaches His followers to serve Him -- and that implies being different from the followers of the devil. He has warned that His way is not easy, (Matt. 7:13-14; 8:19-20; 10:37-39).

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    It was a joy to be with pastor Richard Kamerman and the Mesa Baptist Church in Pueblo, Colorado for a Revival effort last week. Though few lost people attended the services, it was a blessing to fellowship with those brethren. Pastor Lonnie Ford, from the Banner Baptist Church, led the singing, and several of his people attended the services faithfully throughout the week. On Friday evening Bethel Baptist Church, of Arvada, chartered a bus and brought 38 people to the service. It is good to see the churches in Colorado enjoying good fellowship.
    In my absence the services at Landmark were conducted by brethren Tom Yandell, Michael E. Rogers and Homer L. Bryan. Thanks to all who had a part in making these services possible. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to minister in colorful Colorado, and the brethren there seemed deeply appreciative of the messages they heard. Pray that they may be effective witnesses.

    Word has just been received that the Calvary Cross Baptist Church of St. Louis is planning a Fellowship Meeting beginning on Friday evening July 2, and continuing thru July 3. It was a real blessing to be with them in such a meeting just one year ago.
    This church is located at the corner of California and Juniata -- about 10 blocks West of Interstate 55 at the Arsenal Exit.

    Pastor Lonnie Ford and the Banner Baptist Church, of Avondale, Colorado, have planned a Fellowship Meeting August 19-21. They would be greatly encouraged to have many brethren from outside Colorado. This splendid young pastor dearly loves God's Word and the people who look to him as their shepherd. Pray for them. And, if possible, make plans to attend this meeting.

    George Washington's Orderly Book of August 3, 1776, included this comment:
    "The general is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane swearing, a vice hitherto little known in the American army, is growing into fashion; he hopes the officers will by example as well as influence endeavor to check it and that both they and the men will reflect that we can have little hope of the blessings of heaven on our arms if we insult it by our impiety and profanity. Added to this, it is a vice so mean and low, without temptation, that every man of sense and character detests and despises it."

    "Be ye not unequally yoked to gether with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel", (2Cor. 6:14-15)?
    A Christian can have no fellowship with persons of the world in spiritual things. Remember that whatever interests you share with an unsaved person, you must meet him in his territory for it is certain he cannot fellowship with you in the most important territory of your life.
    I don't mean to hole up in a monastary. Go ANYWHERE you can to influence people for Christ. But be sure you are not BEING influenced by their activities, conforming to their standards, or accepting their principles, (John 17:14-17; Jas. 4:4; I Jn. 2:15-17).
    Some of God's people have just enough religion to make them miserable. We feel a moral obligation to our church but we want to keep up with the expectations of society (Matt. 6:24).
    "And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people", (2 Cor. 6:16; comp. I Cor. 3:16-17).
    What are you using the temple of the living God for? What are you storing in the habitation of the Holy Spirit? Is your mind filled with smut? with lust? or even with the "cares of this life", (Matt. 21:12-13; 2 Tim. 2:20-21)?

    "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing: and I will receive you", (2 Cor. 6:17). Here the Bible specifically demands separation. Again, not a hermit's life, but a life of: good works, obedience, and exemplary living for Christ's sake. We "are bought with a price" and, therefore, must serve our Master. He permits us to serve Him voluntarily, but we must give account of our stewardship, (Rom. 12:1-2; Tit. 2:11-14; I Pet. 1:13-16; 2:9-12).
    "And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty", (2 Cor. 6:18). The Lord wants to be a Father to us. He wants to care for our problems. He wants us to be happy and have joy, but if we continually break the fellowship, how can He help us?
    "Having therefore these promises dearly beloved, let us CLEANSE OURSELVES from ALL FILTHINESS of theFLESH and SPIRIT, perfecting HOLINESS in the fear of God", (2 Cor. 7:1).
    ACTION!! Let us not waste time, but BELIEVE GOD! By His strength we may ever live separated lives. Let us not remain indifferent but, for Christ's sake, OBEY God's Word, (Jas. 1:21; 4:7-10; 2 Pet. 1:9).
    "WASH me throughly from mine iniquity, and CLEANSE me from my sin. ..PURGE me with hyssop, and I shall be CLEAN: WASH me, and I shall be whiter than snow ..... Create in me a CLEAN heart, 0 God, and renew a right spirit within me .... Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee", (Psa. 51:2, 7, 10:13).

    A life of worthwhile ministering to others is always up-hill; the path is steep and hazardous, but it inevitably leads to the presence and glorious fellowship of God. He who would be chief must learn to be a faithful servant.
    The world seems to think men may scramble up another -- easier way. It appears to think the path of unselfish service is like a slide-

board on which men must forever go downward. Nevertheless, He who is "Lord of all" taught that the great among men are those who serve most unselfishly.
    Forget yourself --- your own way, your preferences, your plans and schedules. Consecrate yourself to Jesus Christ without any reservation. This is the surest way to immortal success and eternal glory. Your life may seem to sink away and be lost, but that will be nothing more than "appearance". Like drops of refreshing rain that fall and soon disappear, it will soon come forth in living beauty.
    No life that is spent in the unselfish service of Jesus Christ can ever fail to know eternal honor. He who humbles himself under the almighty hand of God will be exalted in due time.

    The "crown of righteousness" is not bestowed for great sacrifices, but for Christ-like character. The crown is, in reality, the brilliant glory and beauty of bestowed righteousness -- blossoming into a heavenly radiance under the smile and power of God.
    Tireless activity and heroic struggle will never WIN this crown. Instead, a person must be holy -- so fully sanctified under God's control that His life and character show forth the glory and power of God.
    God crowns no man for what he has done, but for WHAT HE IS.

    Holiness vanishes when one begins to talk about it but becomes gloriously conspicuous when it is manifested in unpretentious living.