Sometimes
we need to do some spiritual stocktaking in order to see
where our lives are heading. Have we lost our first love?
Do we joy in Christ as we did when we came forth from the
waters of baptism? Do we take hold of the opportunities
that come our way to promote the name of Christ to a perishing
world? Do we find conversation about the Truth easy, or
is our talk wholly on a mundane plane? Have we been beguiled
by pride and become the victims of the flesh?
The will of the flesh, with all its subtlties, must not rule
over us. Instead, we should delight to do the will of our Heavenly
Father at all times. Jesus promised: "If a man love me,
he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will
come unto him, and make our abode with him" (John 14:23).
If there is not found in us that conscious desire to "do
all to the glory of God", then the Father and the Son will
not dwell within us. This can only mean that we shall hear the
most terrible words of all Scripture: "I never knew you:
depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt. 7:23).
We need to examine ourselves to see if we be "in the Faith".
If we find that we have slipped, we need to make firm resolutions
for the future. Our good example and zeal will strengthen our
fellow saints to do likewise.
"Behold,
I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give unto every
man according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12).
IN
THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF IT
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