Morning, June 10
Go To Evening Reading
“We live unto the Lord.”
Romans 14:8
If God had willed it, each of us might have entered heaven at the
moment of conversion. It was not absolutely necessary for our preparation
for immortality that we should tarry here. It is possible for a man
to be taken to heaven, and to be found meet to be a partaker of the
inheritance of the saints in light, though he has but just believed
in Jesus. It is true that our sanctification is a long and continued
process, and we shall not be perfected till we lay aside our bodies
and enter within the veil; but nevertheless, had the Lord so willed
it, he might have changed us from imperfection to perfection, and
have taken us to heaven at once. Why then are we here? Would God keep
his children out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary?
Why is the army of the living God still on the battle-field when one
charge might give them the victory? Why are his children still wandering
hither and thither through a maze, when a solitary word from his lips
would bring them into the centre of their hopes in heaven? The answer
is—they are here that they may “ live unto the Lord ,” and may bring others to know his love. We remain on earth as sowers
to scatter good seed; as ploughmen to break up the fallow ground;
as heralds publishing salvation. We are here as the “salt of the earth,” to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our
daily life. We are here as workers for him, and as “workers together with him.” Let us see that our life answereth its end. Let us live earnest,
useful, holy lives, to “the praise of the glory of his grace.” Meanwhile we long to be with him, and daily sing—
“My heart is with him on his throne,
And ill can brook delay;
Each moment listening for the voice,
‘Rise up, and come away.’”