April 13

He that is holy, let him be holy still. - Revelation 22:11.

HEAVEN is not only a high but a holy place, in which entereth “nothing that defileth;” for “without holiness no man shall see the Lord.” Christians are called to holiness, and are commanded to be holy: “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” They are addressed as “holy brethren.” They are here made partakers of the holiness they are to possess and enjoy in heaven. Hence are they said to be “predestinated to be conformed unto the image of God’s dear Son.” Are we discouraged by this description of the Christian’s holiness, and ready to say, instead of experiencing this holiness of heart and life-this conformity to the mind of Christ, and of walking as he also walked-that we “find another law in our members warring against the law of our minds?” Still we may bless God there is a law of the mind to be warred against, which was not the case with us once; nor is it the case with others now. Do we say, “When I would do good, evil is present with me?” Yes; but there is also the will to do good.

This shows that those who are thus exercised are not merely convinced but converted, not merely reformed but renewed in the Spirit of their mind, not only moral but holy; being made partakers of God’s holiness, they mind Spiritual things, are joined to the Lord, and have one Spirit. He that is holy here will be confirmed in holiness hereafter. The Christian on earth is therefore the subject of the same holiness, differing only in measure and degree, as the glorified Spirits above. The same Spirit of humility which disposes them to cast their crowns at the Saviour’s feet, leads the believer now to say, “Not I, but the grace of God in me.”

Do they who dwell in his house above still praise him? Believers have the same Spirit of gratitude, and are saying, “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be continually in my mouth.” There, his servants serve him, see his face, and have their names in his forehead. So in his church on earth, the saints in degree take pleasure in diffusing his glory, realizing his presence, and avowing, even unto death, his name.

“The men of grace have found

Glory begun below;

Celestial fruits on earthly ground,

From faith and hope may grow.”