In faithfulness we are to abide
in that which we have learned from the apostles (1 John 2:24). In doing so we
may leave results with God. Numbers, when given of God, and precious as they
are, do not count here. Nor is it a question of success, as commonly
understood, but of standing for the Lord, which may be unto death, as Stephen,
Paul, and others. Stephen was not successful in his ministry (Acts 7), and the
longer Paul labored the more his trials increased (Acts 28:30). The important
thing is, Are we standing, and are we witnessing for God? But how can we do
that if we are not taught of God (Col. 1:9) and do not feel our nothingness (2
Cor. 12)?

And what is the position that as
believers we have been brought into now, "the vocation wherewith we have
been called?" Is it not that which was according to God’s purpose and
grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (2 Tim. 2:9)?
Are not those who compose the assembly a heavenly people, united to Christ the
Head in heaven (Heb. 3:1; John 17:16; Col. 2:10)? Have they not been reconciled
to God in one body where they have "access by one Spirit unto the Father
(Col. 1:12-27; Eph. 2:18)? Are they not a called-out fellowship, a divine
organism, "builded together for an habitation of God through the
Spirit" (Eph. 2:22, 1 Cor. 12; 2 Cor. 6:16)? Such a testimony makes
nothing of us here; it does not give us a place in this world, but it connects
us with Christ the Second Man in heaven (1 Cor. 15:57,58) and makes us
strangers and pilgrims on earth (1 Peter 2:11). We know our connection with
Jesus Christ risen from the dead, according to Paul’s gospel (2 Tim. 2:8) and
we do not belong to anything here. Our links are broken with everything earthly
of a religious nature, and we have "boldness to enter into the holiest by
the blood of Jesus" (Heb. 10:19). It is a heavenly testimony now of which
we are to be the representatives.

It is a great thing to remember—
what Christians too easily forget — that we are called to the enjoyment of
heavenly things, and we live by the revelation of them. God has not introduced
grace and His Son and Spirit to make us get along easily in this world — it was
not needed — but to bring us to the enjoyment of heavenly things and to live in
them.

Christ in us "the hope of
glory" (Col. 1) was an entirely new thing, and not merely the long
promised glory on earth that has yet to be brought in, but the heavenly glory:
glory with Christ above.