LIVING FOR THE LORD

We live unto the Lord - Rom 14:8

If God had willed it, each of His believing people might have entered heaven at the moment of conversion. It was not necessary for our preparation for immortality that we should spend time here on earth. It is possible for a man, e.g. the dying thief, to be taken to heaven though he has only just believed in the Lord. It is true that our sanctification is a long and continued process, and we shall not be perfect till we have laid aside our bodies, but if the Lord so willed it, He might have changed us from imperfection to perfection, and have taken us to heaven at once.
Why then are we here? Would God keep His children out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary? Why is the army of the living God still on the battle-field when one charge might give them the victory? Why are His children still wandering, sometimes like sheep, when a solitary word from His lips would bring them all into heaven? The answer is - they are here that they may “live unto the Lord,” and may bring others to know His love. We remain on earth as sowers to scatter good seed (Mat 13:24); as the “salt of the earth” (Mat 5:13), to be a blessing to the world. We are here to glorify Christ in our daily life. We are here as workers for Him, and as “workers together with Him” ( 2 Cor 6:1). Let us live earnest, useful, holy lives, to “the praise of the glory of His grace” (Eph 1:6).

Adapted from Spurgeons Morning & Evening, June 10th