"We are not only to renounce evil, but to manifest the truth. We tell people the world is vain; let our lives manifest that it is so....Oh to live consistant Lives" - Hudson Taylor
2007-07-06 10:12:37 · 15 answers · asked by tlcbaotou 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hudson Taylor was a Missionary.
2007-07-06 10:19:44 · update #1
Absolutely!
All of the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible repeats Taylor's exact sentiments. Life is in vain if there is no victory over the grave. I believe, I bet Hudson Taylor did too, that existence initially had much meaning and purpose, until death became part of our reality, the cause for this cruel brief time here on earth. We are here today and gone tomorrow. Time is like the entire beach, and each of us is just one speck of its infinite sands.
And just as he did, it is why I now put my trust in Christ, Who is the Victor over death and the grave by His resurrection. He has overcome this world by recapturing for us this initial meaning and purpose for why we even exist. However, He will give it back to those who believe in Him in its fullness when He raises them up during the last days and brings them to a new heaven and a new earth. This can only happen after this world is first destroyed, because this world and all its corruption can't be redeemed. And, it is why He said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even if he dies. And, whoever believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26)
By the way, wasn't he the guy who went to India to start the first mission there? If so, I believe he died from malaria on its western shores, near Mumbai, and didn't get to tell anyone about the Victor over death and this in vain world, because he didn't yet learn the language.
2007-07-06 10:55:53 · answer #1 · answered by Tom 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Yes renounce evil...good idea.
Manifest the truth? If manifest is used as a verb, meaning to "make" the truth "clear"...I do believe we can of course illustrate the truth with parables, etc. in order to offer another example for better understanding...but of course we should not embellish or deny any portions of the truth simply because we want people to feel better about it.
The world is vain, yes, vanity, temporary...without real significance or value...I agree.
Live our lives as if the world is vain...meaning to live as if the things of this world (material possessions, wealth, fame, status, conquests, etc etc... are insignificant and worthless since all people die and cannot take anything of the world with us when we die...and instead live virtuous lives with love and kindness to all (both traits that are actually in direct opposition to the natural world) i.e. violence and greed, and selfish lusts and animal instincts. Yes I agree.
To live consistent lives...yes, we should be consistent and not hypocrites for the sake of the example we set. One can't support this and not practice it...otherwise they are inconsistent and a hypocrite.
So yes to all, by my understanding.
2007-07-06 17:44:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just to try to give it the benefit of the doubt:
It sounds like he means you should not only renounce evil, but also be an example for good in your life. "put your money where your mouth is", sort-of speak.
The last part sounds a bit sarcastic, though.
If I am looking for a quote that I might live by, I can find lots of them in the Scriptures.
Who the hell is Hudson Taylor, anyway?
2007-07-06 17:20:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Am I the only one who thought, upon first reading this, that "it" referred to manifesting that the "world is vain", rather than, it would seem, our belief that the world is vain? That is, that our lives should manifest vanity because we tell people the world is vain.
2007-07-06 17:29:23 · answer #4 · answered by Deof Movestofca 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely! This world is not our home, it is only a temporary dwelling. While we are here we must live the life, not just profess it. :)
2007-07-06 17:19:31 · answer #5 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't agree. What is evil? What is evil to you and Hudson Taylor, may not be evil to the rest of the world.
2007-07-06 17:16:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Sounds good.
2007-07-06 17:16:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds good to me.
2007-07-06 17:17:47 · answer #8 · answered by George 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The WHOLE world is vain? I quite like parts of it...
P.S. Oh, now. Who gave me thumbs down for *that*???
2007-07-06 17:15:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
I agree....Walk the walk!
2007-07-06 17:15:58 · answer #10 · answered by Gir 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋