21

21

hearts, not only to the moral conformity which is to be reached

now, but the transformation of our body. The apostle Paul was

stretching out to the things before, knowing that he had not yet

obtained the prize. What Paul reached eventually we find in 2

Timothy when he says, My course is finished. Now it is the

moral transformation in our heart and souls; what we have

before us is the finishing touch in the transformation of our

bodies into conformity to His body of glory—“according to, the

working of the power which he has even to subdue all things to

himself”. Beloved brethren, what an outlook it is to have this

before our eyes! Let us stretch out after it.

If the Lord preserves us, tomorrow we shall have the privilege,

the experience, of being gathered around our Lord as He is in

the midst of His saints. It is a wonderful thought, but what a

portion and hope is given to us to be like Him not only in heart

and soul—that is what we are aiming at now—but as to our

bodies. May we be kept in the expectation of that wonderful

moment when we shall be transformed without anything else

remaining, in soul, and spirit and body for His eternal pleasure

and glory. Amen.

Address at Redbridge

3 September 1988