what we do, but by what we become as children of God through faith. Where we are and what we have be come obligates us to a life of Christ- likeness. This can certainly be under scored again and again in our daily existence. PUTTING OFF AND PUTTING ON PART II I N C olossians 3:3 we are reminded that we are dead, and our lives are hid with Christ in God. There is both a positional and a practical aspect to salvation. When we receive the Saviour, positionally, we are sanctified. But keep in mind, there’s something more than this, for there must follow the daily growth or spir itual maturity. This is not perfec tionism as far as sin is concerned but progressionism in the stature of Christ, that we may grow more into the likeness of the Lord. During World War II, s a ilin g across the Pacific, I can remember Seeing the first mate compute the ship’s position by s tudy ing past movements recorded in the log book. Even without astronomical observa tions, due to cloudy weather, a posi tion could be determined. This was called “dead reckoning.” We know that the Word of God is the Chris tian’s Log Book. There may be storms all about us, with overwhelm ing trials and circumstances. Then it is that we must go to our chart and compass for a “dead reckoning” to find out where we are and whom we seek to serve. In Romans 6 we are repeatedly told to “reckon ourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” You see, we are dead and our life is hidden with Christ in God. Think for a moment of those five words, “hidden with Christ in God.” This is really a double lock of spirit ual security. One of our law enforce ment officers recently urged every householder to make certain that the
outside doors on our homes have dou ble locks, not just a single bolt, but an additional chain guard to frus trate and turn away any intruder. As far as our salvation is concerned, this is what God has done for us. What I M E T TH E M A S T E R I had walked life's way with an easy tread, Had followed where comfort and pleas ures led; With station and wealth and rank for my goal, Much thought for my body, but none for my soul, I had entered to win in life's mad race, When I met the Master face to face. I had built my castles and reared them high. Till their domes had touched the blue of the sky; I had sworn to rule with an iron mace, Till I met the Master face to face. I met Him and knew Him, and blushed to see His eyes full of love were fixed on me; And I faltered and fell at His feet that day. While my castles melted and van ished away. Melted and vanished, and in their place Naught else did I see but the Master's face. And I cried aloud, ''Oh, make me meet To follow the steps of thy wounded feet!" M y thought is now for the souls of men, I have lost my life to find it again; E'er since one day in a quiet place, I met the Master face to face. more security could we possibly have or desire? One of the early church fathers, Chrysostom, one day enraged the em peror by his continual preaching on 15 UntH one day in a quiet place I met the Master face to face.
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