June 23

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.

2 TIM. ii. 12.

Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. — LUKE xviii. 29, 30.

THE light and power of this text is in the phrase, "For the kingdom of God's sake." Fearful calamities have befallen the Church from errors concerning the principle of true evangelical sacrifice and service. Christ is not making a bargain nor appealing to our self-interest, but stating a fact verified in the experience of millions who have joyfully sung, "For thy sake we are killed all the day long." The mother who rushes through the flames to save her child, the soldier who counts not his possessions or life dear that he may serve his king, do not speak or think of sacrifice. Jesus Christ gains men by his attractive power. When the kingdom of God and the beauties of its King are revealed to the soul, it enters at once upon its glorious inheritance of everlasting life, and asks no other reward. We have long possessed a picture of a saint of the Middle Ages kneeling at the feet of Christ. The Lord is saying to him, "Thou hast done much for me, what shall I give thee?" And Saint Thomas Aquinas is answering, "Lord, nothing but thyself."

Jesus, I my cross have taken All to leave, and follow thee; Naked, poor, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be! Perish every fond ambition, All I've sought, or hoped, or known; Yet how rich is my condition, God and heaven are still my own! LYTE.