A man has no right to call himself a child of God who does not work for
Him. Was it not so with Christ himself? Did He not, even when a boy,
say, "Wist ye not that I must be about My Father's business?" and the
work of God is the delight of the heir of God. We do not join the church
merely for what we can get, but for what we can do. How is it with you?
Do you say, "What can I do?" That's the way Paul began--"Lord, what wilt
Thou have me to do?" Too many of us think--How can I enjoy myself? What
can I do to increase my happiness? If we would prove that we are the
legitimate children of God, we must find out the best way of carrying out
the wishes of God. If we set Christ before us as our example--and after
all He was the best servant His Father ever had, for while He was in this
world He went about doing good, and we could have tracked His footsteps
by the cessation of suffering, and the increase of comfort--let us set
about the same work. It is our business, if we would live godly, to dry
up tears, and make smiles take the place of groans. If you are not at
this glorious employment, begin to doubt if after all you are one of the
elect. There are numbers of low-spirited Christians who would soon be
among those who dance for joy if only they would look out for the one
nearest to them who is sad, and who requires sympathy and help.
What should you think of a man who wore the Queen's uniform, and yet who
fought in the rank of her enemies; or if he did not fight against his own
countrymen, assisted the foe to get provisions and ammunition? But this
is the position of some who call themselves Christians. If they do not
oppose Christianity in person, they help on the other side, and by the
way they spend their money, and occupy their time, put all their
influence in the wrong scale. Depend upon it when wages are paid, we
shall find that each Master will claim those who served him. We know
where Paul will be that day. Let us be in the same crowd!