In this matter-of-fact, rational period, it is more especially needful for those professing to be separated unto the Lord Jesus to bear in mind the fleetingness of time, and the seriousness of eternity. Temporal things loom large. Competition for a livelihood is often severe ; friends prove changeable and those we expect godly prove otherwise. False creeds abound, sin is glossed over, and the love of many waxes cold. And more especially does there seem a tendency to luxury. By that is not meant necessarily extra high living, but a settling down, satisfied with the comforts of the world that tend to set the affections on things below and not to follow the Lord Jesus in "that He pleased not Himself." This trying to please oneself and not regarding the feelings and thoughts of others is shown by that roughness, bluntness, and selfishness which do not glorify our God, and which are certainly not the mind of Christ. The root of this is in minding earthly things. When death draws near, and eternity comes in view, how paltry are the things of time; yet there is only a thread between us and eternity. Our life is but a vapor that vanishes quickly away. Over every house, over every meeting-room, and above all, over our heart should be constantly inscribed-eternity ! eternity!
This looking at the things unseen should effect an alteration in our whole business as well as private life. Our work or labor should be performed with eternity written over it. While others are laboring with this world as their goal, it is ours to prove our heavenly citizenship by separation from the world's ways and means, even though it bring, as it will, the world's laughter and money loss.
We should seriously examine ourselves, and find out if we are seeking our own ends in life, and resolutely determine by the grace of God that for us to live shall be Christ.
But this spirit of freedom from the world and consciousness of eternity can only be obtained by personal communion with our blessed Saviour. Only as we are often in His presence, only as we meditate on His dying love, only as we are conscious of His being with us moment by moment, shall we look at the things not seen, which are eternal.
How difficult sometimes it seems to realize what it means, and yet how near it is continually being shown to be. This year with its terrible record of sudden catastrophes and loss of life-the sudden precipitation into eternity of hundreds of people-ought . to act as an incentive for all believers to live more and more as seeing Him who is invisible.
We must show to the world by our conduct, that our life that is hid with Christ in God is just as real -nay, far more so – as the life that is earthly :by that I mean that with us eternal things are real
issues and exert a real influence over our life, just as carnal things that can be seen are real to the unbeliever.
What a testimony to the power of a personal God is a holy life ! Education, culture, refinement, and training all fail completely to make a man holy. It requires nothing less than the power of God to make a saint. What a proof to a dying, unbelieving and scoffing world of His reality.
What a testimony to the blood of the Lord Jesus ! For nothing less than a realization of all sin forgiven and an entrance into the heavenlies effected, could give such peace and joy here, and hope for the future.
And what a witness to the keeping power of the Spirit of God, who alone amidst the deceitfulness of sin could keep the believer looking unto Jesus and show him the mind of His Lord; who in the darkest hour can bring a ray of light, can smooth the rough paths, and enable the believer to say, "Thy will be done," after the fiercest trial.
It is our privilege then to be living epistles, known and read of all men, and to follow in the steps of Him whose meat and drink was to do His Father's will.
It is our duty to point sinners to the Lamb of God who alone taketh away sin, and who only can enable the soul to escape the fearful eternal doom which will be pronounced after the shadows of time have given way to the realities of eternity. S. J. P.