from death unto life, is well described in the fortieth psalm. "I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings, and he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God." The Rock of Ages is a firm foundation for the sinner's feet; he is no longer a stray sheep wandering from the fold; his goings are established, he shall not slide. He restoreth my soul, he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." The believing soul runs the race which the Lord hath set before him, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of his faith. Paul likens this race to that at the Isthmian games, 66 Know ye not that they which run in a race, run all, but one receiveth the prize; so run that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery, is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.” The crown, composed of dry laurel, or parsley leaves, was erected on a pole at the end of the course, which, those who ran to obtain it, kept in view. Thus Paul describes himself as running the race," not as uncertainly," not deviating in and out of the line, but forward, with the prize in view; not such an one as theirs, a perishing, leafy, corruptible crown; but an unfading, immortal, incorruptible crown of glory,—about the obtaining of which he felt no uncertainty. "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." Here the comparison fails; but one only of all who run for the corruptible crown could obtain it; whereas for the incorruptible crown of glory none shall run in vain. All who seek shall find, all are conquerors through him who is the conqueror, the great Captain of our salvation. He is the only man who endured temptation, and being tried, received the crown of life, which we have his faithful promise, shall be given "to them that love him." He is "the chief shepherd," from whom, when he shall appear, his elect "shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." Unto whom he saith, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Such a crown as can never be taken from him. It is a glorious, royal diadem, which shall encircle the heads of all the heirs of salvation. Though God's work in the soul is progressive, yet you tell me that the work of sanctification in ourselves is not. I cannot understand this, papa! We never in ourselves become more holy in the sight of God. The scriptures give the most conclusive answer to your question. To preclude all self-seeking, Paul says, "But of him are ye in Christ us Jesus, who of God is made unto Instead of looking into ourselves for increasing holiness, we are exhorted to look out of ourselves to the finished work of Christ: thereby to manifest in the sight of men those fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the praise and glory of God. "that all things are We are not only told, of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ," but we are earnestly entreated to be reconciled to God, to put away our natural enmity against him, and averseness to come unto him as a Saviour, who saves to the uttermost; to be reconciled to his way of saving instead of our "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Cor. v. 18, 21. own. The Christian's growth is in spirituality; in the grace of God; in the knowledge and love of the revealed truth as it is in Jesus, and also in apprehending that for which he is apprehended of Christ Jesus. While he sees and bewails the depth of iniquity in his own heart, which every day's experience makes more clear to his understanding, he rejoices in the Lord," and gives thanks at the remembrance of His.holiness." Being thus brought by grace to see what he is in himself, the light which leads him to the Lamb, shines brighter on his path. Peter exhorts believers to grow in grace," and Paul says, We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth." Where there is a total failure in this last most excellent gift, there is a want of a distinguishing mark of a child of God, and we must M 66 |