LIFE BEFORE DEATH
LIFE BEFORE DEATH
We are prepared for departure from this world by learning the true condition of earth which is death. A widow is one from whom all has been torn by death. But we learn also that life is with God; so that for preparation we must not only learn that death is on all here, but in the joy of our hearts we must know that it is all light and love above. Thus to go is joy without any intermingling of regret. The sorrows of the world are teaching us the one, and communion with the Lord teaches us the other. I am glad to hear that you feel so cheerfully about trusting in God. In any little measure it is most blessed. The Lord be with you and keep you very happy in your reliance on Him.
Dwelling on Acts 7: 54 I had a sense of the great breach between the religious man under the law and the blessed Man in glory, and of how, if He were known, one would be morally distanced from the man here and be prepared for the breach. I think Stephen had in heart accepted Christ’s rejection here before he saw Him in glory, but then, or consequent on seeing Him, he was [p. 269] ready to suffer for Him here. This is true fellowship with His sufferings.