0327. THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.

Heb_12:1-2.

The great outstanding feature of the Christian is that he has life. Not the common natural life of the flesh, but the new Spirit-begotten life of God, which makes him a new creation. Notice its characteristics. It is-

1. An energetic life. "Let us run the race." A man in a race is always wide awake. "This one thing I do" seems written on his countenance. This is after the fashion of Christ, who "set His face like a flint."

2. An ordered life. "The race set before us." It is not a rush at random. The course of the Christian is well defined. The Word of God and the example of Christ make his way plain. This is the way, run ye in it. "Not My will, but Thine be done" (Luk_22:42).

3. A persevering life. "Run with patience." There must be patient continuance in well doing in those who seek for glory and honour (Rom_2:7). It is the patient endurance of faith as seen in the previous chapter.

4. An upward life. "Looking unto Jesus." We look unto Him because we press on for the prize of His eternal glory and reward. In steadily beholding Him we are lifted up above the things of earth and sense, and conformed into His likeness (Php_3:13-14). The apostle said, "I press on."

5. A believing life. "Looking unto the Author and Finisher of our faith." It is simply a life of faith on the Son of God. Faith that He who hath begun the good work of faith in our hearts will finish it (2Ti_4:7-8). A finished faith. What will that be? It will just be according to your faith. Faith, when it is finished, bringeth forth satisfaction. Great faith is great capacity.

6. A self-denying life. "Lay aside every weight." I keep my body under, lest I myself should be a castaway- a disqualified runner. When a man is going to run a race he has little regard for the prevailing fashions of the day. If any man will come after Me let him deny himself. Our own will and thoughts are but weights to be laid aside.

7. A hopeful life. "Who for the joy that was set before Him." Christ lived, and suffered, and died in the hope of seeing of the travail of His soul. The faithful servant will be rewarded. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Salvation is all of grace, but the works of the saved will all be rewarded.

8. A public life. "We also are compassed about with a great cloud of witnesses." We, like those mentioned in the eleventh chapter, are also surrounded with a cloud of witnesses. Every individual Christian has a cloud of witnesses. May we so run our heavenward course that they, too, will be led to glorify our Father in Heaven. Are you booked for this race?

Autor: James Smith