OUR PLACE IS IN HEAVEN
OUR PLACE IS IN HEAVEN
Our associations of life are in heaven; we belong to another country, though here on earth. As Englishmen in the bush endeavour to carry English life and things there and have their living associations in the Mother Country, so is it with the saints. We are not saved for earth, our joys come from the Father’s house. The Spirit brings them into our hearts. There is the place and the Person; you must be in the place to know Him. It is not Christ where He was so much as Christ where He is. Where! Colossians 3:1! John 1:38. Over Jordan, the old corn of the land; Joshua 5. Whenever I have looked for blessing on earth I have always been disappointed; but when I have looked for it in heaven, never! (Hebrews 10). I am in a condition for heaven (2 Corinthians 3), glory also a condition. In one case it is being at home in the place, the other, with the Person.
As to testimony for Him here, John 16 is active, not passive. To be in companionship with the Spirit, I must be dead against the world. The way is not getting rid of everything round us that may be called ‘worldly’, but to know the place and get taste for heavenly things only. There is ‘compensation’ for loss of all things. There is very little taste for heavenly things! Compare Philippians 3 - “from whence”,
[p. 3] etc., and Matthew 25. The hope of His coming was restored sixty years ago. Are we ready for Him? Rebecca was fitted and made ready before she was asked to go. Three trumpets of the Roman armies. Are you ready? We are ready! Self-renunciation is needed to be a true servant of Christ.