And thus if our new life in God
consisted in mere states of feeling and emotions, which were not in
the least capable of passing into action, or perhaps did not even aim
at doing so; which were too peculiar and special to ourselves to be
actually communicated to others or to move them with good effect, but
rather might touch them with a chill sense of awe; what would such
a life be but a ghost-like apparition that would no doubt excite
attention, but would find no credence, and would make men uneasy in
their accustomed course, but without producing any improvement in it?
No, it is a life of action, and ought to be ever becoming more so; not
only being nourished and growing stronger and stronger through the
word of the Lord and through heart-communion with Him, to which He
calls us, giving Himself to us as the meat and drink of eternal life,
but every one striving to make his new life intelligible to others
about him, and to influence them by it. Oh, that we had our eyes more
and more steadily fixt on the risen Savior! Oh, that we could ever be
learning more and more from Him to breathe out blessing, as He did
when He imparted His Spirit to the disciples! Oh, that we were more
and more learning like Him to encourage the foolish and slow of heart
to joyful faith in the divine promises, to active obedience to the
divine will of their Lord and Master, to the glad enjoyment and use of
all the heavenly treasures that He has thrown open to us! Oh, that we
were ever speaking more effectively to all connected with us, of the
kingdom of God and of our inheritance in it, so that they might see
why it was necessary for Christ to suffer, but also into what glory He
has gone! These are our desires, and they are not vain desires.
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