“Worketh for us... while we look.” This is a matter of fact; either our light affliction is or it is not, working for us.
Is it our manner of life? And our manner of life ought to be according to our citizenship. Paul always walked with his life in his hand; he had counted the cost. Where are we? Have we the Christian religion as a coloring to our old life, or have we really the new life? The profession of Christianity ought to coincide with the profession of Christ now, Christ-likeness.
“Knowing the terror of the Lord.... for we must all appear.” But we are made manifest unto God. All judgment is committed to the Son, so that I cannot think of a judgment unconnected with Christ. Everything connected with me must come out there, but I shall be manifested in glory. To think of the impenitent dead standing in their bodies, and there to be judged! I do not speak of us at the same time, when we are manifested at the judgment seat of Christ—all, everything, will be naked and open. I do not say that it is not all pardoned. I do not suppose there will be a thing there we should wish to conceal, for all will tell out to His glory. There is nothing that will not come out there, whether good or bad; it is a kind of moral necessity. The church is caught up, and with Him there He settles things. Not a mere crowd, but an orderly company of glorified saints—a multitude caught up—coming down an organized city, everyone in his place.
I am not going to be some great thing, and yet “the least in the kingdom;” only think of the least here being in the likeness of Him!
The bride is a whole thing. See the clouds reflecting the sun’s light, the beauty so bright that you can scarcely look at it, but every particle of the lovely colors are all the light of the sun.
We rejoice with trembling, knowing how fearful a thing it is for those out of Christ to fall into the hands of the living God.
Why am I not afraid of being manifested before the judgment-seat of Christ? Because I have been manifested before the judgment-seat of God. He has looked me through and through, and He has forgiven. And as to reckoning it again, why, there is Christ. And He ever liveth to make intercession for us. And I believe those that realize it have power against sin.
We want to live Christ, that there can be no question with others whose we are. There may have been a bright conversion; but has the progress been such that those caring for us see Christ, formed in us, that we are manifest to their conscience? Paul had passed the judgment of their consciences.
Christ knows the worst, all the “ins” and “outs;” we could not explain them even. He not only knows the worst, but justifies. We are glad He knows all, and we can go on from day-to-day so, not without self-judgment, of Course. He hath reconciled us to God, and that knowing the worst of us, and we shall know more of our evil as we move on.
We have to take possession. True, there are the wicked spirits in heavenly places; but who can harm us if followers of that which is good?
“Perfecting holiness.” What a sphere for our ambition It is impossible we should enjoy the grace, and not go on, and we cannot be satisfied unless going on. G. J.