October 15

Lest . . . I myself should be a castaway.

1 COR. ix. 27.

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. — JOHN xv. 6.

HOW striking is this figure of the vine and its branches! How expressive of that secret but vital union which exists betwixt Christ and his people! — a union as real and essential as that between the vine and its branches.

United to Christ, the believer partakes of the nature, power, and life of Christ. From him we derive our spiritual life and fruitfulness. The Christian graces which adorn and beautify our life and character are the fruits of the Christ-life in us, and by which the “Father is glorified” and men recognize that we are disciples. “Abiding” in Christ, holiness — “the beauty of the Lord our God” — will remain “upon us,” and we shall “still bring forth fruit even in old age.” But what a fearful doom awaits the unbeliever, the hypocrite, and the apostate!

A branch “apart” from the vine, by an inflexible law of nature, “withers,” is fit only to be “cast forth,” “gathered,” “cast into the fire,” and “burned.” Such in the very nature of things must be the inevitable result of the soul’s separation from Christ, who is the source and fountain of all spiritual life. In him is life eternal. Apart from him is death everlasting. Beloved reader, seek union with Christ, abide in Christ.

E. Humphries,

Abide in thee, in that deep love of thine, My Jesus, Lord, thou Lamb of God divine; Down, closely down, as living branch with tree, I would abide, my Lord, my Christ, in thee.

J. D. SMITH.