Eternal Life
Christ is coming, and He is coming for his people. He says, "I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." The marks of the crucifixion are in his palms for us, and when he comes, "he shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied." We are to seek to save souls; we are to present his sacrifice to the perishing; for when he comes, we want to enter into the joy of our Lord; and his joy is to see souls in his kingdom for whom he has died. We are to go on from strength to strength, growing more happy in his service, settled, rooted, grounded, in his love. He says: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Oh, what exaltation for fallen humanity! We are almost home. Christ is coming in the clouds of heaven, and he knows his sheep by name. He knows every soul who has come to him in faith, just as he knew that woman who touched him with the touch of faith. Jesus asked, "Who touched me?" The disciples were astonished that he should ask this. They answered, "Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?" When the woman saw that she was not hid, she came and fell at his feet, and told her story, and praised him for his healing power. At the touch of her faith he perceived that virtue had gone out of him. Faith had taken it from him. No one else knew that she had touched him; but he knew it. The crowding multitude had not felt the restoration that she realized. The actual contact of her faith with him had brought the blessing. And this will bring Christ's virtue to us, that we may be prepared for his service and his kingdom.
When he comes, he will say to those who are looking for him, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." "Well done"--what have they done? They have built up his kingdom. They have shared in his trials, his sufferings, his labors; and he gives them a place among the blessed. What exaltation, what privilege is ours! We may have the worthiest ambition which Heaven can approve, in saving souls for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
ST, March 11, 1889
How much do we want eternal life?