The goal of living in this world

(J.R. Miller, "Things That Endure")

LISTEN to audio!  Download audio
(You will find it helpful to listen to the audio above, as you read the text below.)

The goal of living in this world, is ever to grow into more and more radiant and lovely Christ-like character—whatever our conditions or experiences may be.

We cannot escape temptations—but we are so to meet them and pass through them, as not to be hurt by them; to come out of them with new strength and new radiancy of soul.

We cannot escape trials and difficulties—but we are to live victoriously, never defeated, always overcoming.

We cannot find a path in which no sorrow shall come into our lives—but we are to live through the experience of sorrow, without being hurt by it.

Many people receive harm from the fires which pass over them. Many fall in temptation and lie in dust and defeat, not rising again. Many are soured and embittered by the difficulties, the irritations, the frictions, the cares of life. But the problem of Christian living, is to keep a sweet Christ-like spirit amid all that might embitter us—to pass through the fires, and not have the flames kindle upon us.

We live in the midst of the countless dangers through which we must pass in this world. Danger lurks in every shadow, and hides in every patch of sunshine. There are tempters all around us. Only by committing our lives day by day into the hands of Christ, can we be kept in safety amid the perils of this world. He is able to keep us from falling, to guard us from stumbling, and to set us before His presence without blemish, in exceeding joy!

   ~  ~  ~  ~

Something to ponder
"The holiness of God is the beauty of all His attributes, without which . . .
   His wisdom would be but subtlety,
   His justice would be but cruelty,
   His Sovereignty would be but tyranny,
   His mercy would be but foolish pity." Edward Leigh, 1602-1671