The Quakers sought to distance themselves from all forms of flattery and frivolity, which came in the manner of gambling, playing games of chance, instruments, singing, and dancing, theatre, drama, hunting, reading of sensual, thrilling, immoral, or romantic novels of any sort, wearing immodest or colorful worldly fashions, expensive or decorative furniture, addressing people in flattering titles, and non-productive conversation such as gossiping. The Quakers were a sober, peaceful, and stolid sort of people, far from being extravagant. They spoke little and valued silence. They worshipped without ceremony or program, often spending long hours of silence waiting on the Lord. I have much to learn from them!
It is better to be silent than to speak foolishly. Waiting on the Lord in silence requires a still and reverent spirit. Reverence for God was another characteristic of the Quakers. People found Quakers mystical as a body of believers, and they firmly believed in sanctification through belief and action.
The Moravian Brethren were a community. They lived, worked, and centered their lives for the brethren and had a strong emphasis of meditating on God’s Word daily, as well as strong center of prayer, prayer that lasted a hundred years! They were pietists, emphasizing on the importance of a vigorous relationship with God and piety. A very devout and persecuted group, yet also very mission minded. They were the first to send missionaries, men and women who gave up everything and risked their lives to bring the gospel. They were also very orderly, and had watchman night and day who would pray and guard the community. A strong emphasis on Biblical living, community, and devotion was characteristic of the Moravians. The fruit of their ministry touched the entire world, including the Methodists. They were fond of quietness and rest too; aye.
The early Methodists are another group I admire. They resembled the Quakers in dress, except they were a very frugal, studious and methodical group. Unlike “unprogrammed worship”, the nature of the Methodists was of orderliness, consistency, and diligence. They had such a burden for souls, and suffered much to bring the gospel throughout the Americans. Circuit riders endured untold hardships and loneliness, abandonment and scorn, yet persevered to the very end, many laying down their lives for the lost. This sort of weary lifestyle caused many to die young. They had such an abhorrence of sin of any kind, and as a fellowship they would try and question one another so as to root out all sin. They took sanctification very seriously, and had an awesome fear of God. Anything frivolous or prideful was immediately condemned. Methodists firmly emphasized the actions of living faith and were very scrutinous regarding the fruits of salvation. What indeed drove them on was feverous love for God and fear of Him.
I know such a body of believers today and I see in them such graciousness of manner and fervent love for God. They have such an anointing of the Spirit and longing for nothing else but the presence of God. Many have given up their youth, family, success, and education all for one end: to serve Yeshua. And the fruit of their lives can be seen in the way they know the Word of God and in the way they love one another. Surely by this all men shall know that these are Yeshua’s disciples. They do not care what the world thinks, but simply what God wills. They shun the world unconsciously and are a living protest against the complacency and compromise of the Church. They live each day seeking the Spirit of God, His mind and His heart. Such joy, such peace that is among such a fellowship so in love with God that they do not care the least when the world scorns and mocks them; they seek Him to the uttermost, in much humility and fear of the Lord. In sorrow and sacrifice the love of God has proved victorious.
What drives us to live set-apart lives is the fear of God and great zeal for Him. In the reality of the Spirit there really is nothing hypocritical, superficial, or pseudo spiritual. We ought to love Him with all we are, that naturally leads us to live holy lives in ways that are pleasing to Him. We ought to want His kingdom so much as to loose from ourselves all fleshy and carnal burdens, pleasures of this life which are sinful. We ought to seek the image and character of the Messiah so much in His life, and study His Word, meditating on it day and night, praying without ceasing, concerning ourselves with nothing less than the knowledge of Yeshua the Messiah and Him crucified.
We can know the method and go through the motions without the grace and apostleship of our Lord, but it will result in fruitlessness and waste. It is empty religion that puts upon men burdens that are a pious luxury for a few but a foolish tempting of God for the disciple who has to go one living from day to day. Only the call and cross of our Master Yeshua the Messiah is necessary; no other burden need we place, for we have nothing to fear – if any man runs after Christ, all these other burdens He will cast away from them for the saving of their soul. Only one commandment and requirement is necessary and that is the commandment that is the very being of Yeshua Himself upon the cross – He is our righteousness, our redemption, and His act stands as a requirement to those who here give up their lives that they might eternally live.
How ought we to live as a people waiting for the return of our Lord?
“We can do nothing else but watch and wait,
Which means enthusiastically,
Totally taken up,
Totally taken up,
Deaf towards anyone who would make us confused with doubts,
Blind towards anything that comes between us and that future of God.
Only one thing is of importance to us.
We want to receive God
We want to know God
We want to hear God
We want to see God
We want to serve God.
We want inconceivably nothing else,
In any case, nothing like we want God!”
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