(Eph. 4)
There are other portions of the word which might, be profitably studied under the general head of “The Christians Vocation;” but the most important have been touched upon; and if these are well weighed and carried out, they will lead into many hues of happy service for the Lord—for His saints, and for a Christless world. But, as we are drawing near the end of another year, we think it well to close the present series of “Meditations” and commence, the Lord willing, the approaching New Year with an entirely fresh theme of study.
And now in conclusion, may the good Lord lead us by His Spirit, to study yet more diligently these great and fundamental truths of our holy Christianity! What can be more worthy of our deepest study than our standing, state, and vocation as Christians? How can we walk, worship, or serve, so as to please Christ, without this knowledge? Besides, it necessarily leads to habitual meditation on the Person and work of Christ, and on the many applications of God’s grace hi our own blessing, as flowing from Christ’s finished work. It is really the study of God’s thoughts, affections, and ways towards us in the blessed Lord, in place of being occupied with our own thoughts, feelings, and ways towards God. And how marvelous the blessed effect on our own souls of such a habit of thought and contemplation! May the Lord lead us more and more to meditate on these things, for His own name’s sake.
In place of feeling dissatisfied, discontented, unhappy, uneasy, restless, and looking with desire after the things of the world, we shall feel perfectly satisfied, at rest, happy, content. Every desire is met in Christ. He Himself is enough. We know Him, and are at home with Him. We know none other so well. He gave Himself for us. And now we have this blessed Christ, glorified in heaven, to count upon in every step of our journey. We have Him to look to as our one object, and to lean upon, as we go up through the wilderness. He will never fail us nor forsake us. The one business of life is to follow Him—wait for Him, go to Him, and be with Him forever. It is, and has been, our one wish and fervent prayer, that our many readers, and especially our beloved young friends, might be led into the apprehension and enjoyment of these blessed, precious truths. Many, of late years, very many, thank the Lord, have been brought to the knowledge of Himself in early his. With such before our minds we generally write. We desire that they may know, not only their pardon and salvation, but their full deliverance from the world, the devil, and the flesh; and also their full establishment in Christ as risen, exalted, and glorified.
These glorious truths are plainly revealed in the holy scriptures, and especially in these blessed portions, over which, in our meditations, we have been traveling. And let us remember, that they are ours now. They are as really and as surely ours, as if we were in heaven. The word of God cannot either be truer or plainer there. Let us then claim these privileges and hold them as our own, on the authority of God’s word, and in the integrity of faith.
But let all our readers remember, that, in order to the present and full enjoyment of this blessedness, the heart must be separated from the world in its ten thousand aspects, and Christ Himself must be the one real object of the soul. This is the path of faith. Though the world continues to be the lawful sphere of our many duties, Christ in heaven is the all governing object of the heart. The affections must be right with Him—He must be the standard of our judgment and the test of all our ways. In short, it must come to this, “For me to live is Christ.” The Lord grant it in His rich mercy.
“If ye then he risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” (Col. 3:1-41If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1‑4).) Here we have the true object and the true hope of the Christian, and that which characterizes his life here below, and also that which will characterize his eternal and glorious future. But, meanwhile, the Lord would have us to know, and heartily to enter into, all that He has revealed of the Christian’s standing, state, and vocation.
May we ever be found truly subject to Christ, obedient to His word, devoted to His service, faithful to the light and teaching of His Spirit, and consistent in all things, that God may be glorified.
“A little while,” and we no more
A feeble few shall meet;
But there a mighty army stand
Before His throne complete.
Sweeter, beyond the “little while,”
The dawn of morn to view;
The morning of a brighter day
Than ever Eden knew.
How sweet the song of victory
That ends the battle’s roar;
And sweet the weary warrior’s rest
When all his toil is o’er.”