+I. Illustrate this fellowship in wickedness.+--1. Not to oppose, in
many cases, is to embolden transgressors, and to be partakers with
them. 2. We have more direct fellowship with the wicked when we
encourage them by our example. 3. They who incite and provoke others
to evil works have fellowship with them. 4. They who explicitly
consent to and actually join with sinners in their evil works have
fellowship with them. 5. To comfort and uphold sinners in their
wickedness is to have fellowship with them. 6. There are some who
rejoice in iniquity when they have lent no hand to accomplish it.
+II. Apply the arguments the apostle urges against it.+--1. One
argument is taken from the superior light which Christians enjoy.
2. Another is taken from the grace of the Holy Spirit, of which
believers are the subjects. 3. The works of darkness are unfruitful.
4. This is a shameful fellowship. 5. If we have fellowship with
sinners in their works, we must share with them in their
punishment.--_Lathrop._
Ver. 8. _Light in Darkness._--I was in a darkened room that I might
observe the effect produced by the use of what is called luminous
paint. A neat card on which the words "Trust in the Lord" were
printed rested upon the bookcase and shone out clearly in the
darkness. The effect startled me. How remarkable that if from any
cause the light of sun or day failed to rest upon the card its
luminousness gradually declined, but returned when the sun's action
infused fresh light! Truly we also, if hidden from the face of our
Lord, cease to shine. "Are ye light in the Lord? walk as children of
light."--_H. Varley._
Ver. 9. _Fruit of the Spirit._--As oftentimes when walking in a wood
near sunset, though the sun himself be hid by the height and
bushiness of the trees around, yet we know that he is still above the
horizon from seeing his beams in the open glades before us
illuminating a thousand leaves, the several brightnesses of which are
so many evidences of his presence. Thus it is with the Holy Spirit:
He works in secret, but His work is manifest in the lives of all true
Christians. Lamps so heavenly must have been lit from on
high.--_J. C. Hare._
Ver. 10. _The Rule of Christian Conduct._--1. We cannot conform
ourselves to what is acceptable to the Lord and walk as children of
light except we make serious search into the rule of duty revealed in
the Word and do our utmost to come up to that rule. We walk not
acceptably when we do things rashly without deliberation, or
doubtingly after deliberation, nor when the thing done is in itself
right, but we do it not from that ground, but to gratify ourselves.
2. It is not sufficient to make this inquiry in order to some few and
weighty actions, but in order to all, whether greater or less,
whether advantage or loss may follow our conforming to the rule.
3. The finding out of what is acceptable to the Lord, especially in
some intricate cases, is not easily attained. There must be an
accurate search, together with an exercising ourselves in those
things we already know to be acceptable, that so we may
experimentally know them to be such, and get our knowledge bettered
in those things of which we are ignorant.--_Fergusson._
Vers. 11, 12. _Works of Darkness._--1. Though we are not in all cases
to abstain from the fellowship of wicked men, but may converse with
them as we are bound by necessity, or by any civil, religious, or
natural bond, yet no tie of that kind can warrant us to partake with
them in their sins. 2. Though the command to reprove the sins of
others is an affirmative precept, and not binding at all times and in
all cases, yet not reproving when occasion offers is a partaking with
them in their sins. 3. There should be such a holy bashfulness in
Christians as to think shame to utter in speech, at least without
detestation, those things godless sinners are not ashamed to
practise. Ministers in their public preachings should be modest and
sparing in deciphering filthy sins, lest they teach others how to
commit the sin they reprove. 4. When men do not seek the veil of
secrecy to cover their sins, but glory in their shame, they are more
corrupt than the grossest of pagans.--_Fergusson._