Chap. 158---The Court of Holy Life

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a

peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called

you out of darkness into his marvellous light." 1 Peter 2:9.

 

"The church of Christ on earth is amid the moral darkness of a disloyal world,

which is trampling upon the law of Jehovah. But their Redeemer, who has

purchased their ransom with the price of His own precious blood, has made every

provision that His church shall be a transformed body, illumined with Light of

the world, possessing the glory of Emmanuel. The bright beams of the Sun of

Righteousness, shining through His church, will gather into His fold every lost,

straying sheep who will come unto Him and find refuge in Him. They will find

peace and light and joy in Him who is peace and righteousness forever.

The members of the church should individually keep the light of God’s love

burning brightly in their own souls, that it may also shine forth to others. We have

too much at stake to allow spiritual lethargy to creep over us. Let us beware of

indulging a disrelish for religious services and religious duties. Let us resolutely

battle against that sluggishness of soul which is so fatal to the growth and even the

life of the Christian. That church will be healthy and prosperous whose members

are putting forth active, personal effort to do good to others, to save souls. This

will be a constant incentive to every good work. Such Christians will labor with

greater earnestness to secure their own salvation. The dormant energies will be

aroused, the whole soul inspired with an unconquerable determination to win the

Saviour’s plaudit of “Well done,” and to wear the victor’s crown.

Christ makes His church a beautiful temple for God. “Where two or three are

gathered together in my name,” He declared, “there am I in the midst of them,”

Matthew 18:20. His church is the court of holy life, filled with varied gifts, and

endowed with the Holy Spirit. Appropriate duties are assigned by Heaven to each

member of the church on earth, and all are to find their happiness in the happiness

of those whom they help and bless."