This world is evil—that's God's verdict of it: "The whole world lieth in wickedness" (1 John 5:19). Satan, "the god of this world" (2 Corinthians 4:4) "hath blinded the minds of them which believe not." The world rulers of this darkness are wicked spirits, Satan and his host of demons (Ephesians 6:12). It is good for Christians of all ages to realize this fully.

What good can be hoped for from a world that has rejected Christ? The reason so many fail to see the evil is that they are taking the wrong standard by which to estimate things. God judges the world by what it has done to His Son. What place has it for Christ? Do you judge it by the same rule? "Oh, there is nothing wrong in this," you say, "or in that." Well, but what place is there for Christ in it? Is He wanted there? Would it be a joy to the heart of Christ if He should come and find you doing "this" or "that"?—"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:15,16).

A father walks into the house; one child leaps with joy into his arms, the other quickly slips into the other room. What is the matter? Why, he was doing something that he knew would not please his father. How is it with you? Would you leap with joy if Christ should come and find you doing what you are doing? Oh, if we would only bring Christ in, how it would clear our vision to see the evil. All that which is not suitable to Christ's presence is evil.

"Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus," says the apostle Paul in Colossians 3:17. Is that too high a standard to suit you? Not if Christ is valued by your heart. Let us be done with this negative way of estimating whether a thing is evil or not—what wrong is there in this or that. Get something positive before your heart. What is there for Christ in it? Can you be there as Christ's representative? Is it a word you can speak in His name or a deed you can do as belonging to Him and for His glory? If so, you cannot be too wholehearted in it; if not, you should stay clear of it.

Shame on us if we want Christ simply as a Saviour whose death gives us title to heaven, and saves us from going down into hell at last, but are not much concerned about our walk or practical deliverance from every evil that contaminates the world that murdered our Saviour. No, that is not the purpose of God in the death of Christ—simply deliverance from hell. No indeed! Rather, He "gave Himself for our sins that He might deliver us from this present evil world according to the will of God and our Father" (Galatians 1:4).

—E.C.H., Grace and Truth