​May 20

A peculiar people, zealous of good works — Titus 2:14.
 
A "peculiar people"—not peculiar in dress, nor in manners, nor in language, nor in foolish, senseless forms and idiosyncrasies; but peculiar in that it is separate from the world and the spirit of the world. It has the Spirit of Christ—a spirit of full consecration to the Lord, and separateness from the world and its selfish aims. It is peculiar in its adherence to the Word of the Lord as its only law. It is peculiar in that it rejects worldly wisdom when it conflicts with the Divine revelation. It is peculiar in that it is in the world, but not of the world. It is peculiar in that it has a decided faith and acts in harmony with its faith, and with zeal. It is peculiar in that it is self-sacrificing and knows no will but the will of its king. It is peculiar in that it knows the Truth and is able to give a reason for the hope within, while others merely speculate and wonder and doubt—Z '97, 95 (R 2127).
 
The peculiarity of God's people consists in their separateness from selfishness, worldliness, sinfulness and erroneousness, and their dedication to the Lord for His service. They are peculiar to the Lord in the sense that they are owned by Him, and are for Him, ready for His service in the promotion of truth and righteousness. As such they are enthusiastically active in well-doing, serving in good things, as they have opportunity, all men, especially the household of faith—P '26, 61.
 
Parallel passages: Deut. 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Psa. 69:9; 1 Pet. 2:9; Eph. 2:10; Titus 3:8; Gal. 6:7-10; 1 Cor. 15:58; 2 Thes. 3:13; 1 Thes. 5:15; 1 Tim. 6:18; Heb. 13:16.

Hymns: 275, 267, 20, 200, 78, 125, 116,
Poems of Dawn, 169: Go, Labor On.
Tower Reading: Z '14, 151 (R 5460).

Questions: Have I this week acted as one peculiarly the Lord's in good works? Under what circumstances? How? Why? With what results?

---

---

GO, LABOR ON

GO, labor on; spend and be spent,— ​
Thy joy to do thy Father's will;
It is the way the Master went;
Should not the servant tread it still?

Go, labor on; 'tis not for naught;
Thine earthly loss is heavenly gain;
Men heed thee, love thee, praise thee not;
The Master praises—what are men?

Go, labor on; enough, while here,
If He shall praise thee—if He deign
Thy willing heart to mark and cheer;
No toil for Him shall be in vain.

Men sit in darkness at thy side,
Without a hope beyond the tomb;
Take up the torch and wave it wide,
The torch that lights the thickest gloom.

Go, labor on; thy hands are weak,
Thy knees are faint, thy soul cast down,
Yet falter not; the prize we seek,
Is near—a Kingdom and a crown!