He says, "is that servant, whom his lord, when he Cometh, shall find so doing.''
The warning has doubtless a primary reference to ministers of the Gospel. They are the stewards of God's mysteries, who are specially bound to be found " doing," when Christ comes again. But the words contain a fiirther lesson, which all Christians would do well to con- sider. That lesson is, the immense importance of a working, practical, diligent, useM religion.
He lesson is one which is greatly needed in the churches of Christ We hear a great deal about people's intentions, and hopes, and wishes, and feelings, and professions. It would be well if we could hear more about people's practice. It is not the servant who is found wishing and professing, but the servant who is found "doing " whom Jesus calls "blessed."
The lesson is one wHch many, unhappfly, shrink from giving, and many more shrink from receiving. We are gravely told that to talk of "working," and "doing," is legal, and brings Christians into bondage ! Remarks of this kind should never move us. They savour of igno- rance or perverseness. The lesson before us is not about justification, but about sanctification, — ^not about faith, but about holiness. The point is not what a man should do to be saved, — ^but w/iat ought a saved man to do ? The teaching of Scripture is clear and express upon this sub- ject. A saved man ought to be "careful to maintain good works." (Tit. iii. 8.) The desire of a true Christian ought to be, to be found " doing."
If we love life, let us resolve by God's help, to be "doing" Christians. This is to be like Christ,— He