WHILE walking through a burial ground some time ago, I stopped before a vaulted grave, and read an inscription relating to a person of some distinction, in which his character was summed up in the following words:―
“AN AFFECTIONATE HUSBAND!
AN OBEDIENT SON!
A KIND BROTHER!
AN HONEST MAN!”
On reading this testimony to the deceased I thought that it embraced a pretty good summary of virtues, and that if the character given to him were true, he had been what is called a “good” man. One thing, however, struck me, which was that, though his virtues were thus proclaimed, there was no reference whatever to God or to Christ as the foundation of his hope for eternity, or as the source of his excellence in his various relationships.
This absence spoiled, to my mind, the whole tenor of the inscription.
It might, then, be asked if I object to morality or to the virtuous fulfillment of the obligations of life. By no means; I greatly value them. Virtue is better than vice, and it is most pleasant to witness the fruits of “natural affection” in operation amongst one’s friends and neighbors. But this I say, that that virtue and morality which have not their root in Christ, through faith in His name, are altogether wanting in the element which renders them acceptable to God; for “without faith it is impossible to please Him” (Heb. 11:66But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)).
The thirteenth chapter of the 1St Corinthians shows us that great things may be both said and done, by which many may be benefited, but which are of no profit to the doer of them. And why? Because they do not flow from the only source which, God can recognize, namely, “charity,” or that true love of Christ which is the constraining power of all which God can approve. (2 Cor. 5:1414For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: (2 Corinthians 5:14).)
The young man mentioned in the Gospels (see Mark 10:1717And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? (Mark 10:17)) seems to have been exceedingly virtuous; and I suppose that, like Saul of Tarsus, he was, “touching the righteousness which is in the law blameless”; but we see that, notwithstanding all his outward blamelessness, when his heart was tested by Christ, he had no response to Him, and that consequently he went away, sorrowful.
Man is a sinner, and until he is reconciled to God by believing on the name of His only begotten Son, he can do nothing that is acceptable to Him; but if one truly bows to that name, he has everlasting life; and, being united to Christ by His ‘Spirit, God works in him “both to will and to do of His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:1313For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13)).
Such a one can then work out what God has wrought in him, and fill up the duties and responsibilities of the relationships of life so as to please God. The love of Christ acting in his heart will thus make him a blessing to others; for “love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom. 13:1010Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:10)).
See, then, dear reader, that you be content only with that commendation which comes from God.
W. T.