Looking and preparing for Jesus’ Coming.
By H. S. Zoller
ARE we expecting that Jesus will come soon, and that when he comes, he will own us? Most of us will have to attain to a much higher standard if we are ever permitted to enter into the place which he has gone to prepare. We shall not only seem to be holy to those who hear of us, and to those with whom we meet, but in the secret recesses of our hearts, nothing unclean shall be found. The members of our household, and our neighbors who listen and peep in upon us, shall say that we are honest. Concealing our faults from each other shall be no more practiced; and being blind or indifferent to our own sins will be equally rare. Entire consecration will be our aim. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect.” This command would not have been given if it were impossible to obey it. But before we can reach this higher state, how many habits of thought and speech must be abandoned? Words are often uttered that Jesus would not utter. Uncharitable and worldly assertions are made by many who are striving to enter in at the gate of the city; unconscious love of the world and encouragement of ungodliness prevail fearfully. Oh! that we might cast ourselves before our Lord and Saviour, and receive help from him ere it be too late. The day is here when the very intents of our hearts may be discerned, through the heaviest cloak of hypocrisy. Can there be a more dreaded position than one in which our friends will detect that we are not what we would seem to be? This test hour is not for one only, but for every one; and let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. How comforting is the assurance that we have a hiding-place in Jesus—but only the humble and truly repentant can hide there.