December 3

"I die daily."—1 Corinthians 15:31.

So said Paul, and it were well if we could adopt the same language. Let us here notice

THE NATURE OF THE DUTY REFERRED TO. What is it to die daily?

It supposes a readiness for death. This is twofold, habitual and actual: the one consists in a change produced in our nature and state; the other, in a comfortable assurance of a better life in the world to come. Paul was actually as well as habitually prepared for death; for he could say, "I am now ready to depart."

It implies a serious consideration of death. It is hard to bring the mind to bear on this solemn subject; we naturally recoil from it. But death to Christians is only the transplantation of the flowers of grace from the nursery ground of the church below to the garden of Paradise above: during the process there may be the appearance of withering; but they soon revive, spreading their leaves in greater freshness, and blooming with increased beauty.

It includes a watchfulness for death. "Being ready" argues a safe state, and "watching," a suitable frame. Christians, though warriors, are not always watchers; sometimes they forget their way, their work, their warfare, and their journey's end.

It involves a continued act of self-dedication. To die daily is daily to surrender ourselves into our Redeemer's hands, not knowing how long we have to live. David did this — Psalms 31:5. Paul did it, and could say, "I know whom I have believed."

It is associated with a desire for the coming of death. Job felt this when he said, "I loathe it: I would not live alway." David said, "Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest." Paul had a desire to depart and to be with Christ, which is far better. How melancholy is it that so few engage in the exercise of dying daily! Let me die daily to sin and the world, that I may live to holiness and to God.