Spurgeon: June AM
* 06/10/AM
"We live unto the Lord."
--Romans 14:8
If God had willed it, each of us might have entered heaven at
the moment of conversion. It was not absolutely necessary for
our preparation for immortality that we should tarry here. It is
possible for a man to be taken to heaven, and to be found meet
to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light,
though he has but just believed in Jesus. It is true that our
sanctification is a long and continued process, and we shall not
be perfected till we lay aside our bodies and enter within the
veil; but nevertheless, had the Lord so willed it, He might have
changed us from imperfection to perfection, and have taken us to
heaven at once. Why then are we here? Would God keep His
children out of paradise a single moment longer than was
necessary? Why is the army of the living God still on the
battle-field when one charge might give them the victory? Why
are His children still wandering hither and thither through a
maze, when a solitary word from His lips would bring them into
the centre of their hopes in heaven? The answer is--they are
here that they may " live unto the Lord ," and may bring others
to know His love. We remain on earth as sowers to scatter good
seed; as ploughmen to break up the fallow ground; as heralds
publishing salvation. We are here as the "salt of the earth," to
be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our
daily life. We are here as workers for Him, and as "workers
together with Him." Let us see that our life answereth its end.
Let us live earnest, useful, holy lives, to "the praise of the
glory of His grace." Meanwhile we long to be with Him, and daily
sing--
"My heart is with Him on His throne,
And ill can brook delay;
Each moment listening for the voice,
'Rise up, and come away.'"