Practical Thoughts on Scripture Subjects.
By John Nevins Andrews
OUR RECORD FOR THE JUDGMENT.
This is being made up day by day. How solemn is this thought. We are ourselves preparing the record out of which we shall be judged. We shall tremble when the books are opened. But why not act with fear and trembling now while the record is being made up. Now we have the decision in our own hands, but then it will have wholly passed out of our control. Then we shall have to abide the result of our own conduct. How ought we ever to tremble lest we sin against God! How ought we to review each day's proceedings to see if they be all right. How ought we to correct our conduct with the deepest solicitude and care, lest we go on with our sins uncorrected to the Judgment. We cannot be too careful to make our record clean for the day of God. Surely this knowledge is of infinite value. Those who know Christ will be acknowledged by him at the great day. All other knowledge is comparatively of little account. To know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, we may with Paul gladly suffer the loss of all things. And those to whom the Saviour shall say, I never knew you, will be likely to estimate the knowledge of Christ of some value, when also it will be too late for them to acquaint themselves with him. Now it is possible for us to acquaint ourselves with him and be at peace. Let us not lightly esteem this most precious knowledge. The first thing in seeking God is to abase ourselves. Then we must reach out after him from the depths of our humiliation. God will help us when we do truly feel our need of him. We must be emptied of self; thus we may be filled with God.
J. N. A.