Preparing to Stand Before God
By R. J. Foster
BRO. WHITE : My heart has often been much cheered by reading the testimonies of the brethren in the Review. I would also add a word in favor of gospel truth. I want to be prepared with them to dwell with the King in glory. With the poet I can say, "Let me dwell with the King in his beauty,
And I ask, oh, I ask for no more."
I feel that I have much to do to be prepared to stand with that people who are to be gathered before the throne of God not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but are to be holy and without blemish. Oh, what a work to be done! what a change to be wrought! before the wrinkles are all smoothed down, and all the spots cleansed from my heart, and I am made holy and without blemish before God. I should despair were it not for the promises of God. He has said, "My grace shall be sufficient for you." This is enough. It is the promise of God, and it cannot fail. We can overcome; and by his grace assisting us we are abundantly able to go up and possess the goodly land. God is able and will in his mercy and goodness work a good work for us, if we are loyal to his government. In view of the great work before us, how important that we lead sober and godly lives; that our light may shine before the world. Is there not great responsibility resting upon us as a people? Have we not received great light? and is not this light given us for some good purpose? In Rev. i, 12, the seven churches are represented by the seven golden candlesticks. In Matt. v, 15, we are told that a candlestick is to hold the candle [truth] that it may give light to all that are in the house. Then if we are to be light-bearers to the world around, let us see to it that we do not put the candle under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that the many souls who need light in these last days of peril, may see it shining out in all its strength and beauty. The Saviour says, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." Is there any higher good work for the Christian than to live out the truth as revealed in the word of God? Then to let our light shine, is simply to live in accordance with the truth we acknowledge. Oh, how important that we live consistent, like faithful Noah warning the world by our good works of the near approach of the coming storm. As perils thicken on every hand as a token of the near coming of our Lord, and every sign seems to indicate a gloomy future to the inhabitants of earth, should it not induce true believers to draw nearer to God and cry earnestly for grace to stand in the coming conflict, and by their faithfulness warn sinners to flee from the wrath to come and seek protection under the pavilion of the Almighty? Let us not deny our Lord by unfaithfulness, but rather acknowledge him in all our ways, and finally meet with that welcome applaudit of having been faithful over a few things. Pray for me. Yours in love of truth.
Wright, Mich. R. J. FOSTER.