Put on therefore as elect of God, holy and beloved, feelings of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering; forbearing one another and forgiving one another. And above all these things put on love, which is the bond which makes everything perfect.
When we stand before the judge of all the earth, we shall not feel one sigh of regret for having been too kind.
Preparing ourselves
We should be preparing ourselves for our new clothing. Remember that when we stand before the judgement seat of Christ, we will have no one else to blame for what we have done and what we have left undone. It is wise therefore, while we have time, to use that time to the glory of God. None but God can give us gold and white raiment.
The wisest goal
It is only when we stop relying on self and put our faith and trust in God that we begin to make headway against the frustrating things of this life. What is our goal? Are we working toward it? Surely the wisest goal is to inherit eternal life at the return of King Jesus. All other goals are hollow achievements which fail to provide real benefit. All die and “leave their wealth to others.” In a manner of speaking, our goal must be to present to the Lord Jesus, at the end of our probation, a “grade” in his “course” which will yield an incorruptible prize.
Patient continuance
Paul tells us to seek for this goal by patient continuance in well doing. This is the way, the only way, to achieve glory, honor and immortality. Is there anything better that we could devise than to shine as the sun in the kingdom of God? This is a blessing we should want more than anything else in the world. “As the hart pants after the water brooks, so pants my soul after Thee, 0 God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psa. 42:1-2). Where our treasure is, there will be our heart also.
Our guide book
Since the Bible is our guide-book, we need to study it so passionately that when we close our eyes we envision God’s glorious Kingdom and the honor and glory that awaits us. A lot of supposed Bible study is narrow and concerned with trivia. But those who love God’s word, like David, make sure they really see the big picture, and make that vision their hope and rejoicing.
We cannot hope to shine in the Kingdom if we are always looking back. It is the apostle Paul who admonishes us to lay aside every weight, and to run with patience the race set before us. Are we trying to drag the things of this world along with us? If we do so, those things will distract us and we shall miss the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This “calling” is one of sacrifice. Not just now and then, but “daily.” Does this seem impossible? No. Jesus did it successfully and finally gave himself for you and me. He is the example. He is more: he’s the power. You and I can do all things through Christ who will sustain us. “Study” Philippians 4 and you will find out how it’s done!
Meekness and wisdom
Do we really want to shine as the stars before the throne of God? Then let us show out of a good conversation our works with meekness and wisdom (I Pet. 2:12).
“Conversation” is an old English word meaning “life style,” as we would say today. The things we say and do are recorded in heaven and on the judgement day our page in “the book of remembrance” will be opened. We need to walk more by faith, less by sight, so that day of reckoning will be a rejoicing for us.
Be like Jesus our saviour
Are we patterning our lives on the example of Jesus who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame? (Heb. 12:2). Jesus had firmly fixed his mind on the goal that was before him, and by meditating upon the joy of that goal, he was strengthened to endure the terrible suffering that had to come first. In Philippians 3:13, Paul tells us to forget the things which have already happened to us and “reach forth unto those things that are before us.”
Eclipse in our lives
If the things of this world are causing eclipse in our lives then we should take a closer look at ourselves. Just as the earth’s shadow causes an eclipse so, too, the vanities and problems of this life can cause a shadow to pass over our lives, preventing the light of the Savior from shining upon us. The healing beam from above must always be able to penetrate to us freely so that we can be healed from our unrighteousness. If we conscientiously expose our lives to the light of the Lord, then when he comes in glory he will be pleased to choose us to shine as the brightness of the firmament and as the stars forever and ever (Dan. 12:3).
Taste then and see that the Lord is good. Happy indeed are the men and women who bask in the light of the Sun of Righteousness. They will be blessed forever.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One