02.06. The Great End of Life!
06. The Great End of Life!
What is the great end of life? What is the one chief object which the Christian should have ever before him?
If one who had never mixed with his fellow-men were to come among us, what would be the impression upon his mind? If he went into the streets of London, or into any of our manufacturing towns — what would he say of the men and women whom he met with? He would see that they are busy, they are active, they are striving for something. Their very countenances show an eagerness about their pursuits. They are up early; they are in bed late; they work hard. And, upon inquiry, he would find that all this is for Gain. The end their minds are fixed on is to get money. Or if he fell in with some of the rich and noble of the land, he would see that many of them are only thinking how they can make a merriment of life — how they can while away their days and hours in amusement. Then he would come to the conclusion that Pleasure is the great end of life, the great object to live for. Or if he went to one of our Universities, he would find men, old and young, engaged in study — poring over their books perhaps for eight or ten hours in the day. From this he would gather that Learning is the great end of life. Or if he mixed among our Soldiers and Sailors, and listened to their conversation, he would come away with the idea that earthly Honor and Glory is the great thing to live for. Or suppose he came into one of our country villages, he would observe whole families dependent on their labor, earning their bread by the sweat of their brow, and entirely trusting to their weekly wages. And he would be led to imagine that Getting a living is the great aim of life.
Too true it is that a large portion of mankind have no further end in view, than gain, or pleasure, or learning, or earthly glory, or mere subsistence. But we must acknowledge that these are but a poor aim for one who has an immortal soul, for one who at the first was created in God’s image.
What then ought to be the end and object for which we are living? Is it Pardon? We are coming nearer to it now. Well may the awakened penitent long for pardon. Well may he feel that to be rid of that heavy burden of sin would be his greatest happiness. Well may he sigh for it, as the prisoner sighs for liberty. And, when he obtains it, well may he rejoice with a joy he never felt before. But yet there is a higher end than this that the pardoned Christian may be looking for, and longing for. What is it? Perhaps it is Heaven. This is a blessed and noble object to have in view — to live for Heaven; to have our eye ever turned towards that blessed abode, which we shall share forever with the Lord Himself! Yes, to secure our own salvation; to win Heaven for ourselves; to be safe for eternity; to have a firm, bright, joyous hope as regards the future; this is unspeakably important to each one of us. But if this is our only object, or even our ruling object in life — then is there not something almost selfish in our aim? Thank God there is one higher and nobler still. And that is to glorify God.
Look at our great Pattern. Look at Him who, when He became man, became a perfect man. Now, from the very dawn of our Lord’s earthly existence, to the hour when His life closed in — all was one continual glorifying of God. He was always doing the will of Him who sent Him. He was always about His Father’s business. Again and again we find such words as these coming from His lips, ’I seek not my own glory.’ ’I honor my Father.’ Watch Him at the grave of Lazarus. This object was foremost on His mind. With thus view He raised the dead corpse to life. Hear how He speaks to Martha, ’Did not I say unto you, that, if you would believe, you should see the glory of God?’ When the hour of His own sufferings drew near, He exclaimed, ’Now is my soul troubled, and what shall I say — Father, save me from this hour? But for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ And again, ’I have glorified you on the earth — I have finished the work which you gave me to do.’ This is the great errand too, on which the Angels loved to be employed. How did the air ring with their joyful song, on the first Christmas morn, when they proclaimed, ’Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will towards men!’ And such too has been the great and constraining object for which many a Believer has lived. What is the one motive which has led hundreds of God’s servants to give their money, their time, their strength, their hearts to Him? It is the desire to bring glory to His name. This was the secret of Paul’s earnestness. This made him labor, and strive, and fight. This made him willing to bear shame, reproach, and suffering — yes, and even to count his very life not dear unto himself. If he could only promote His Master’s glory, he felt himself abundantly repaid. He was content to be despised, so that Christ might be honored. He was willing to be abased, if only His Lord might be exalted. I hardly know such noble feelings uttered by anyone, as those which Paul expressed in writing to the Philippians — such entire putting down of self — that the kingdom of Christ, and His glory, might be advanced. ’But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. In nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain!’ And what are the feelings that he recommends to his Christian brethren? Just the same feelings — nothing lower.
’You are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.’ And again, ’Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.’ So then, you see, this should be the great end and object of the Christian’s life — to glorify God.
Let me now put this matter before you in such a way that you may act upon it. I will offer you some directions, and mention some ways in which you may glorify God.
We ministers know perhaps more than any, what this temptation is. To get a name for earnestness in our sacred calling — to behave ourselves nobly before our people — to win their applause — to acquire a certain amount of popularity — these desires are forever creeping in, and filling the place of purer and higher motives. Yes, and we may deceive ourselves, and imagine that we are doing God’s work, and glorifying Him — when in fact we are only glorifying ourselves!
It is related of two Ministers, who had separate charges in London, both seemingly devoted to their work, and both preaching earnest and stirring sermons, that they made this agreement — that, whichever of them should die first, the spirit of the departed one should return, and declare to his Friend what was the sentence passed upon him and his work in the Lord’s vineyard.
After a while one of the two died; and it is said that his spirit returned and appeared to the survivor. And when asked if he was now in the peaceful enjoyment of Paradise, reaping the reward of his abundant labors, ’No’ (he replied), ’I am lost. I am cast away. I have been weighed in the balance, and found lacking.’ ’Why?’ it was asked. ’Was not your preaching true and faithful? Were you condemned for anything you said as God’s messenger?’ ’Oh no, it was not my words that were wrongly spoken; it was not my preaching that was lacking in energy or boldness; it was not my activity that lacked. But this it was — that, while I seemed to preach Christ, I was really preaching myself! It was my own good name, my own praise, my own glory, that I sought. The preaching of the cross was only the cloak that covered my empty profession of devotedness. And now that that cloak is torn away, I am left naked and stripped of all, and I must go down a soul-deceiver and a self-deceiver into Hell!’
Though we cannot for a moment believe this narrative to be true, yet there is a point in it which may come home with searching power to all our hearts. Let us keep self in the background; and be often questioning ourselves, ’Do I act from a proper motive? Am I wishing to gain a name among men — or to advance the glory of my God?’
Peter, speaking of our gifts, bids us to use them, ’that God in all things may be glorified’ — not in one thing, but in ’all things’ — not in great things merely, but in little things as well. And Paul goes still further, for he says, ’Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do — do all to the glory of God.’ That is, in all the little actions of your daily life, let this one motive be the mainspring of all your doings — to bring glory to Him!
We Christians are called with a holy calling. We are called to be like Jesus, holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners. I often picture to myself a little band of holy men and women in any church — a compact band, a loving band, a devoted band, of really consistent Christians; not mere professors — but possessors of Christ; not talkers — but workers; not hearers only — but doers of the Word — fruit-bearers, light-reflectors, living epistles of Christ, known and read of all men. What a blessed influence would they have on others; like leaven, spreading itself over the whole mass; like fragrant ointment, scattering around the perfume of godliness! This would give life to our Churches. This would put to silence the gainsayer. This would attract, and win over, the unbeliever.
Paul speaks of our ’adorning the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.’ What a word that is — adorning the doctrine! Can we add anything to that which is in itself so pure, and bright, and lovely, as the Gospel? Alas, we oftener throw a veil over it, and dim its beauties — we cast upon it many a blot, and so mar its charms. And yet we may adorn the Gospel, we may add a luster to it, by living under its power. What more lovely picture is there in the world, than to see a holy and happy Christian acting out the Gospel in all he does?
Oh, let us try to make religion attractive by the blamelessness of our lives. Let us show forth the character of Christ in our daily conduct. Why is it that our Lord exhorts us to let our light shine before men? It is that they may be led, by seeing our good works, not to praise us, but ’to glorify our Father which is in Heaven.’ And, believe me, the poorest and humblest may do this. We may all let our light shine for Christ. For do we not see the glorious sun reflected on the little tiny dew-drop, as well as on the boundless ocean? ’Herein,’ says Christ, ’is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit.’
’Hallowed be Your name.’
’May Your kingdom come.’
’May Your will be done.’ So too in our Prayer Book, we ask again and again for this very thing; ’Grant that we may evermore serve You in holiness and pureness of living, to Your honor and glory.’ Again, in praying for our Queen, we ask, ’that she may above all things seek God’s honor and glory.’ And for Parliament, ’that God would be pleased to direct and prosper all their consultations to the advancement of His glory.’ And then, more than once in the Service, our lips pour forth those few but stirring words of praise, ’Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.’
Seek then to glorify God. It is He who has placed us where we are — who has appointed our lot for us. He has put us where we may best glorify Him — where we can do a work for Him, which we could not do elsewhere. We may glorify Him by patiently bearing whatever He is pleased to lay upon us — by cheerfully submitting to His will in all things. We may do so by our words, by our prayers, by our faith, by a holy and Christian life.
One cannot but respect a son who has his father’s honor at heart. One cannot but admire a soldier who would rather die than disgrace his country. And if we are worthy of the name of sons — shall we not seek our heavenly Father’s honor? If we are true soldiers of Christ — shall we not desire above all things our Savior’s glory?
Let us determine to make this our constant aim. Let us be ever striving to do something for our God. The glory of His name, the honor of His cause, the advancement of His kingdom — oh, here is something indeed worth striving for! Let the world frown upon us; let our riches take to themselves wings and fly away; let poverty be our lot here; let us be counted as nothing in the estimate of our fellow-men: no matter, if we can, each of us in our little measure, adorn the doctrine of God our Savior, and advance His glory in the world.