p. 9 | Living in the Past by H.

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 5, 1909

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 36, No. 18.

Living in the Past

By H.

NOT all the great deeds of the past will make salvation sure for to-morrow. A life filled with brave deeds, and good deeds, can not cover one misstep in the way. The balance of tremendous things depends on a pivot, a point, a mere line. Man may question the justice of it all he will, but it is just. One sin cost man his life, and Heaven was emptied to restore the balance. He who has paid all demands all, and justly.

How, then, can men find comfort and assurance in looking back to the good days of their own experience? What satisfaction can there be in the thought that on a certain day, at a certain place, under the influence of a certain man's ministry, we were “converted”? None whatever, unless we have advanced from that memorable day to the present. That was a great day to us, but if that conversion was real, every day since has been greater, and therefore deserving of praise. The faithful service of to-day should eclipse the past in our walk with the Lord.

The past may have brought blessings; youthful “first love” may have been happiness not experienced now; but there should be in the life of every Christian a growing satisfaction in the Lord which makes each succeeding day a greater day, and each experience an added strength in the hold on heavenly things. H.