Ready to Live, Not Merely Die
How common it is to say of a man who has just passed away, that he was ready to die; and to say this as if here was proof that he was a trustful child of God. But dying is no such test of fidelity as living. When a man sees he must die, there is no choice left to him but to accept the inevitable. But while he lives he has a choice to live in one way or in another. His choice under these circumstances shows his real character, his relations to God's service. As old Jeremy Taylor, says: "He that overcomes his fears of death, does well; but if he hath not also overcome his lust, or his anger, his baptism of blood will not wash him clean. Many things make a man willing to die in a good cause; public reputation, hope of reward, gallantry of spirit, a confident resolution, and a masculine courage; or a man may be vexed into a stubborn and unrelenting suffering. But nothing can make a man live well, but the grace and love of God." Or, as Paul puts it: "Though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." You may feel ready to die to-night. Are you ready to live this year out? That is the question.—S. S. Times.