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A fter coming to Christ as Saviour, it is not an easy thing for a per pletely pleasing and glorifying to the Lord. Perhaps you have thought, “Why didn’t God take me directly to heaven the moment He saved me?” The pray er of our divine Lord answers this per tinent question as we read, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world” (John 17: 15, 17). We see why we have been sent here, in order that we might be witnesses to God the Father and to our Lord Jesus Christ. Our purpose is to live that we may introduce others to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, whom to know aright is life eternal. Now there are several very practical ways by which we can be true testi monies for our Saviour. First of all we are to show the world that we are actually the children of His love. Second, we must reveal to the world that we are children of His life. Then third, the very works that we do should let others know our purpose in being here. “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children: And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour” (Ephesians 5: 1, 2). The word “followers” has the meaning of mi- micing, or imitating, for this is what we are to do as we follow the pattern set by our blessed Lord. When we were children we used to play a ganje called “Follow the Lead
er”. If the one who was first jumped over a wall, we would jump over a wall. If he walked over lawn, we would walk over a lawn. If the leader threw a brick, we would throw a brick. As belie,vers we are to follow our Lead er and keep our eyes steadfastly on the Lord Jesus Christ. Just as earthly children should not bring any stain upon their family name, so as heaven ly children of God, we ought not to do those things which would bring con demnation upon His holy name. We are told to “walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us” (Ephesians 5:2). Our blessed Lord came to earth not to live for Himself; He came to live for us. He came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many. The end of this service.brought Him a cross. Now despised of men, rejected by the world, yet in unfathomable love, He died for us. This love of Christ is the same type of love we are to have for others. It is not because, in our sight, they de serve it. It is because “the love of Christ constraineth us.” Here is the valuable application, “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). There are many unlovely people in the world. Our love for them, however, is not to be based on the fact that they are lovely, or upon their merits or demerits. It is rather because of what the Captain of our .salvation has done that we are likewise to love them. We are to be children of love as well as children of light. “For ye were some times darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all (continued on n ex t page) 21
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